This season, the hilsa fish has been the point of interest across Bengal for more reasons than one. After Bangladesh imposed and quickly revoked a ban on hilsa exports, supplies resumed and the fish was sold at a much higher price. But hilsa doesn't just enjoy being the centre of attention at dining tables, but in Bengali culture ilish or hilsa has a deep significance.
In the Bengali tradition, certain customs are deeply intertwined with spirituality and cultural heritage, and the offering of Joda Ilish (a pair of hilsa fish) during Lakshmi Puja is one of them. Joda Ilish literally translates to "pair of hilsa," and this tradition is an age-old practice that carries cultural, religious, and symbolic significance.
The hilsa fish, a much-loved delicacy in Bengal, plays an important role during various festivals, and its connection to Lakshmi Puja is especially noteworthy.
In Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi is regarded as the deity of wealth, prosperity, and abundance. During Lakshmi Puja, which is celebrated shortly after the Bengali festival of Durga Puja, devotees worship the goddess to seek her blessings for prosperity, well-being, and success. The hilsa fish, considered the "queen of fish" in Bengal, symbolises affluence and good fortune. Offering a pair of hilsa fish is believed to attract wealth and bring luck to households, as the fish are considered auspicious.
What history says
Historical texts suggest that the beloved Hilsa was often eaten on Vijaya Dashami as it is said that cooked with Kochu Saag including the 'matha' (fishhead) it was a favourite food of Goddess Durga herself.
In Bengal, fish, in general, holds significant cultural value as a symbol of abundance. Being an important part of the local cuisine, it represents a plentiful and bountiful harvest, aligning perfectly with the blessings sought from Goddess Lakshmi. Offering Joda Ilish thus becomes a way for devotees to demonstrate their respect for abundance and pray for continued prosperity in the coming year.
People from East Bengal, often referred to as 'Bangal', traditionally offer jora ilish (a pair of hilsa) to the goddess on this day. Following this ritual, they refrain from consuming hilsa until Saraswati Puja. Moreover, a niramish bhog (a vegetarian offering without garlic and onion), luchi, five varieties of seasonal vegetables, and payesh are also offered to the goddess.
The Pair (Joda) Concept: Signifying Completeness and Balance
The practice of offering Joda Ilish rather than a single fish is rooted in the cultural concept of completeness and balance. The two fish symbolize harmony, balance, and unity—concepts that are integral to Bengali spiritual beliefs. In traditional Hindu rituals, pairs are often used to symbolize unity and completeness, which is seen as essential for maintaining cosmic balance.
Joda Ilish represents the unity between various elements, such as prosperity and well-being, material wealth and spiritual happiness. The balanced pairing of the two fish is considered a holistic offering, one that fulfills the requirements of the ritual and ensures that blessings will be holistic and well-rounded. This concept can also be found in other Hindu traditions, where balance is a core principle, seen in the pairing of various objects and symbols during rituals.
Historically, the tradition of offering Joda Ilish during Lakshmi Puja dates back to the times when fishing was a seasonal activity. The hilsa fish, which migrates during the monsoon, is most abundant during this period, and thus was readily available for the festivities.
Families that managed to procure a pair of hilsa considered themselves fortunate, as it indicated not only their purchasing power but also their ability to secure the best of seasonal offerings. This abundance was directly connected to the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
Over the years, this practice became more than just an act of culinary enjoyment. It became a way to honor the goddess with the best of what nature had to offer. The tradition was passed down through generations, turning into a must-follow practice for many Bengali households. Even today, securing Joda Ilish during the Lakshmi Puja season is seen as a symbol of pride and prosperity.
The hilsa fish is most plentiful during the monsoon, which aligns with the period following Durga Puja and before the onset of the autumn festivities. The abundance of hilsa in the rivers during this time makes it the perfect offering to celebrate nature’s bounty and seek further blessings from Goddess Lakshmi.
The monsoon season also marks the time of harvest, a period when agricultural produce is at its peak. Offering Joda Ilish during Lakshmi Puja is thus an act of gratitude towards nature for providing abundance, as well as a prayer for continued fertility of the land and successful harvests in the future.
In many Bengali households, the practice of offering Joda Ilish during Lakshmi Puja is carried out with strict ritualistic adherence. The fish are cleaned, dressed, and decorated with turmeric, vermillion, and sometimes even adorned with flowers before being placed on the puja altar. This preparation is not just about aesthetic appeal but about making the offering as pure and respectful as possible. The act of offering a pair signifies completeness, an unbroken bond, and a promise of fidelity to tradition.
During the puja, the Joda Ilish is placed in front of the idol of Goddess Lakshmi, along with other offerings like rice, fruits, sweets, and flowers. This is followed by prayers, chanting of hymns, and aarti. For many, the Joda Ilish is then consumed as prasad, believed to carry the blessings of the goddess.