Bera Utsav
Introduction
Bera Utsav is one of the famous festivals in Murshidabad. This festival is observed with splendors and that makes the festival more important in West Bengal. The festival takes place near the historic palace of Murshidabad.
Description
Murshidabad holds an eminent position in the history of Bengal and formation of enriched historical back ground. Murshidabad was the main political seat from where various dynasties had stretched their wings. Murshidabad is named after the named of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan who made Murshidabad as his main political seat. Bera Utsav is one of the main festivals that is still observed with grand.
In Bera Utsav wonderful fire works on the bank of river Bhagirathi near the palace can be observed. The colorful fire works and the celebration gathers thousands of tourists every year and tourist from different parts of the country gathers to observe the picturesque sight of the occasion.
Time for celebration
Bera Utsav happens every year on the last Thursday of the Bengali month of Bhadra which falls in the middle of September.
Durga Puja
Introduction
Durga Puja is one of the main festivals in West Bengal. Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in all over Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Tripura. There is lies a great mythological tale behind this grand celebration of Durga Puja. Durga Puja takes place in the months of autumn and is regarded as the biggest festival among the Hindus
Description
Durga Puja being a grand occasion among the Hindus is celebrated with all over the country and especially in West Bengal. According to the Hindu mythology this celebration time is not the actual celebration of goddess Durga. This celebration takes place for five consecutive days it is said that the occasion has been introduced by an epical hero Ram who offered his offerings before entering into the battle with Ravana who kidnapped Sita. After Ram the hero of Ramayana introduced the occasion and that made the celebration famous world wide. It is known that goddess Durga visits to make this land free from evils and along with Durga her daughters Laxmi and Saraswati and sons Ganesha and Kartik.
Time for celebration
The Durga Puja takes place in the days of autumn which falls in the months of September and October. The celebration takes place for five days and in these five days the land takes anew shape where all the people irrespective of caste and creed. People go for pandal hopping and the pandal areas are decorated with colorful lights which add a different dimension to the celebration.
Jagaddhatri Puja
Introduction
Jagaddhatri Puja is one of the main festivals in West Bengal but in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. This festival creates a wonderful atmosphere where they come and celebrate the reincarnation of goddess Durga in the name of Jagaddhatri. In Hooghly district the festival is celebrated with great splendor.
Description
Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated with great pleasure in Hooghly district of West Bengal. This festival is one of the ancient festivals and is regarded as the main Durga Puja in the state before Ram introduced the Durga Puja in the months of October. The Puja is famously known as the reincarnation of goddess Durga to destroy evil and set peace in the earth. Here Durga is named as Jagaddhatri comes along unlike Durga. In this idol Jagaddhatri mounts on lion and dresses like a woman warrior who fights against all the ill- powers. People of Hooghly and other parts of the country irrespective of caste and creed gather and enjoy the grand celebration.
Time for celebration
This grand celebration takes place in the month of November and the date depends on the Bengali calendar. People from various corners of the country come and gathers to take part and experience the glitterati of the occasion.
Jhapan
Introduction
Jhapan is the main festival of Vishnupur, Bankura in West Bengal. West Bengal is the state of rivers and great paddy field and so snake worship is very much famous among the people of Vishnupur. There are various occasions that are mainly observed specifically for the worship of the snakes.
Description
Jhapan is the occasion that makes the people to worship snakes. According to Hindu mythology, daughter of lord Shiva is goddess Manasha who is also known as the goddess of snakes. People worship this goddess so that the fertility of the land increases and as a result a good harvest is expected. Apart from that there are other local occasions like stage shows of local plays and different snake shows by local snake charmers.
Time for celebration
This is one of the main festivals that are very much popular among the local people of Vishnupur, Bankura in West Bengal. The occasion takes place in the months of Shravan which is the rainy season and the season of harvest.
Naba Barsho
Introduction
Naba Barsho is the first day of Bengali New Year. The day is also known ‘Poila Baishak’. The calendar was arranged much later for the welfare of the farmers and people of Bengal, Bangladesh and Bengali community and Tripura celebrates this New Year day with hearty welcome and celebration. Various rituals are observed in every house to welcome the New Year.
Description
Naba Barsho is the day when Bengali New Year commences. This very first day of the year is welcomed by a great arrangements and celebration. In the time of Mughals used to rule, there was Hijri calendar which was mainly a lunar calendar and according to that calendar there were various problem regarding tax collection and that led to formation of a new calendar in Bengali and this calendar was introduced under the rule of Akhbar, the great Mughal ruler.
Time for celebration
This first day of the New Year takes place in the mid of April and this day is celebrated in every corner of the world among the Bengali people. Different rituals and festivals make the day an important day and this day onsets the very first month of Baishak in Bengali New Year.
Rash Mela
Introduction
Rash Mela is one of the important festivals in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. West Bengal is the land of festivals and this land will make you to get the actual heritage of West Bengal and Hindu culture. The Cooch Behar is famous for the rash festival and the fair.
Description
Rash Yatra is one of the main festivals in Bengali calendar. This festival honor lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Rash is the festival that deals with the days of Krishna that he spend in Vrindyavan. This festival is still observed in Bengal and various districts of Bengal. Cooch Behar is well known for its exclusive rash festivals and fair. The tradition and its significance lies from the by gone days of Rajas and Maharajas. The old Raj Bari and the history that lies in every corner show the richness of Hindu culture in the district. Rash Yatra is the main festival of the maharaja of Cooch Behar. On the occasion of this festival the fair that is organized gives the tourists the scope to experience the local handicrafts.
Time for celebration
Rash festival in Cooch Behar is popular in the country and that makes the people from various places come and experience the magnificent celebration. The festival takes place in the month of December every year.
Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival
Introduction
Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival is one of the main festivals in the hilly area of West Bengal. West Bengal is regarded as the state of festivals. Colorful celebrations of various festivals take place in different parts of the state. In the hilly area West Bengal is laden with tea gardens and there are various festivals that are observed and the multi colored festivals of the tea garden make the people to participate and enjoy the occasion.
Description
Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival takes place in Darjeeling which is the door to the Himalayas in the state of West Bengal. This festival is also observed in Sikkim and this promotes the tourism in North Bengal as thousands of tourists gathers to celebrate the grand occasion in the tranquil hills of Darjeeling. This festival is the festival of colors and the air fills with fun and frolic. The hilly area acquires a different dimension with wonderful color and music of celebration.
Time for celebration
This festival is one of the main festivals in the northern part of West Bengal and this takes place in the months of November – December. In these months the inflow of tourist increases to observe the colorful celebration of Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival.
Vishnupur Festival
Introduction
Vishnupur Festival is one of the main festivals in the Bankura district of West Bengal. Vishnupur is the seat of ancient culture where you can easily experience the true heritage of Bengal, its art and architecture that project the golden era of Bengal. The temples and the other ancient structures with elaborate sculptures and prosperity reflects a wealthy background of Bengal and it’s by gone days. Shyam Ray temple, Jorbangla, Radhey Shyam temples are the main attractions of Vishnupur in Bankura district of West Bengal.
Description
Vishnupur festival is a chief occasion where you can experience the true heritage of one of the important district of Bengal, Bankura. This festival can be regarded as the blend of past and the present. The old tradition gets well mixed with the present day. In this festival there is the ancient tradition of local dance and music that is observed. The tribal culture which is one of the ancient cultures can be experienced during the Vishnupur Festival. You can get the local sculptures and handicrafts which have their individuality and uniqueness. The local hand woven fabrics and the hand prints cloths are very famous among both domestic and international tourists.
Time for celebration
The famous Vishnupur Festival takes place in the month of December and thousands of tourists come and visit this fair which has lots to offer to every tourist. Visiting this historically significant place will surely make your trip momentous. Being an important fair and festival Bankura remains populated with tourists and this district is well equipped with varieties of hotels and guest houses to accommodate various tourists.
Diwali
Introduction
Diwali is one of the main festivals that is celebrated throughout the country. India is a land of festivals and celebration. Diwali or Deepavali is the festival of lights where evils are destroyed. Houses and the street are decorated with lights so that lights that is regarded as the source of positive energy prevails every where. The festival is the symbol of unity in the diversity as there are various ways of celebrating the festival and the main aim of the festival remains unchanged
Description
Diwali is one of the main occasions in west Bengal. At the same time this day is also known as ‘Kali Puja’ where the evil powers are destroyed by the mother goddess Kali who symbolizes the destruction of evil forces. The lights and the fireworks make the night a worth watching. The main aim of the festival is to drive away the evil spirits from the earth. In west Bengal ‘Diwali’ is also named as ‘Kali Puja’. Crackers, fireworks and candles give a different dimension to the moonless night.
On the other hand this festival is also known s the celebration of the victory of Ram over the king of evil Ravana. By lighting candles and by burning the fireworks people celebrate the victory of truth.
Time for celebration
October/ November are the time for celebrating kali Puja or Diwali which is an essential festival among the Hindus. India is the land where various castes and creeds exist and so in this grand occasion all the people from various economic and religious backgrounds.
Gangasagar Mela,24 Parganas
Introduction
Gangasagar Mela is famous world wide and this mela is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in this state. This meal is regarded as one of the main fairs celebrated in West Bengal. The mela gathers thousands of devotees from different parts of the country. The fair is one of the main attractions in the winter span of West Bengal.
Description
The mela takes place in the months of December and January. Ganga is the holiest river in Hindu mythology and gaga starts her expedition in Prayag and ends her long journey t this holy place and merges with Bay of Bengal. This place is also regarded as holy destination like Prayag and so it is believed that taking holy dip in this place can cleanse all your sins. The mela explored by various foreign tourists and tourist from other religious background and thus all cultures, heritages mishmashes to from a single one. The light and the sacred atmosphere creates and enigmatic ambience that attracts tourist every year. That can be proved by the constant increment of tourists every year. After taking the holy dip the devotees visit the temple of ‘Kapil Muni’ a well-known sage of Indian mythology.
Time for Celebration
The fair occurs annually, thus the devotees pay their visit every year and take holy bath. The grand occasion takes place on the day of’ Makar Shankranti’ which is in middle of the month of January.
Jalpesh Mela
Introduction
Jalpesh Mela is one of the main fairs in Jalpaiguri district. The fair can be treated as one of the main occasion in the district that makes the people to unite and enjoy the festival. Jalpesh mela which takes place for one month and makes the people to enjoy the fair where irrespective of caste and creed come and enjoy the grand occasion of the district.
Description
Jalpesh Mela takes place on the occasion of Shivratri in the months of February and March. The mela takes place for one month and this mela is held at Mainaguri in the district of Jalpaiguri. The occasion of Shivratri is very famous in India and the age old Shiva temple is the main attraction of the mela and the mela takes place round this temple.
Time for celebration
The mela takes place in the months of February and March on the occasion of Shivratri in the district of Jalpaiguri. Not only local people but people from different part of the country come to take part in the fair which is the meeting place of various cultures.
Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
Introduction to the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
Fairs and Festivals are like a breath of fresh air that provides relief from the drudgery of everyday existence. Indians in particular are very fond of mirth and merry making. The Kenduli Mela is a fair held in Kenduli, birth place of the famous poet Jaidev in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. Kenduli is at a distance of about 42 km from serene Shantiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore’s abode of peace.
Description of the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
The Kenduli Mela in Birbhum is most well known for the gathering of the Bauls, a group of mystic minstrels. They are the bearers of a unique musical tradition, who are identified by their saffron attire and distinctive musical instrument, the Ektara. They have the proud distinction of being included in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.
The Baul community earns their livelihood by singing. The most interesting characteristic of their songs is that they convey profound philosophical view points of life using simple expressions. They dexterously use inoffensive expressions in place of the ones considered offensive and yet succeed in evincing their view point. You have the scope to listen to them if you visit the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum.
The Kenduli Mela in Birbhum gives you the wonderful opportunity to hear to the music of these wandering minstrels who believe in the simplicity of love and life. You are sure to be impressed by their magnetic performances.
Time for celebrating the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
The Kenduli Mela in Birbhum is held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. This occurs each year in mid January. You are sure to enjoy this premiere festival of the Bauls who are indeed cultural assets of the land.
Poush Mela
Introduction
Poush Mela is one of the main festivals in the district of Birbhum of West Bengal. Poush Mela is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Birbhum and its diversity spreads world wide. The fair takes place for a week and in that week the place takes a different shape with people from different parts of the world. This fair is the place where different culture mish mashes perfectly. On one side you can get the true spirit of Bengal in the form of local music and dance on the other hand people from different part of the country come and blends perfectly.
Description
Poush mela is one of the main attraction in Shantiniketan and thousands of tourists not only from different corner of the country but from every corner of the world. This place is the meeting place of all culture and traditions. This fair is the perfect place to experience the true heritage of Bengal country side where the people and the culture. The traditional music and dance and the handicrafts. People from different country come to explore the rich heritage and the students of Shantiniketan make the fair more glamorous and enjoyable with wonderful performances and participation. All the days are filled with various activities and the local stalls are the store houses for the shoppers where you can get the local printed fabrics and handicrafts.
Time for celebration
Poush mela takes place in the month of December in the Bengali month of Poush. This fair is the best place where the cultures meet and blends perfectly. This fair is one of the well-known fairs in India and remains populated with thousands of tourists every year.
Rathayatra
Introduction
Rathayatra is one of the main festivals in India which is the main festival in Orissa and in West Bengal also the festival is celebrated with splendor and majesty. The festival is a grand fiesta where the holy chariots are pulled by the people. This grand occasion in Hooghly district of West Bengal. This rathayatra attracts thousands of tourists to come and explore the rich heritage of West Bengal.
Description
Rathayarta is one of the oldest traditions in Hindu society. This grand celebration takes place in every corner of the country especially in Orissa and West Bengal. The festival is also known as Chariot festival where the chariots of Lord Jaganath, lord Balaram and their sister Subhadra are drawn by general people and that make the festival more significant as the rope is regarded as the holy one and people with strong beliefs come to take participate in the grand occasion.
The chariots are decorated wonderfully that add glitter to the festival. There are silk canopies with different respective colors to respective chariots of Jaganath, Subhadra and Balaram
Time for celebration
The occasion takes place mainly in the months of June or in July. Thousands of tourists come and gather to experience this occasion that is celebrated with magnificence in the district of Hoogly in West Bengal.
Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan
Introduction to the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
Festivals add color to life and if it is a festival of colors like Holi one may well imagine how it smudges all souls with joyousness. The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore introduced Vasant Utsav or Spring festival in Shantiniketan, Birbhum to recreate the magic of the joyous festival Holi. It is now an integral part of Bengali culture.
Description of the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
Rabindranath Tagore was the founder of the Vishwabharati University in Shantiniketan, a serene and tranquil town in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. On the occasion of Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum, the students of this university clad themselves in yellow colored clothes. The sight of all these youngsters adorned in such bright colored dresses is indeed beautiful.
They entertain you with some spectacular performances. The cultural programme that they put up is simply superb. The function is very enjoyable and provides the students a great opportunity to reveal their talents. They sing beautiful songs and dance to the tune of great music in groups. You are sure to be impressed by their memorable display of qualities. They welcome the season of spring whole heartedly.
Later in the day, the students as well as the teachers apply a colored powder popularly referred to as abeer on each other. The air is filled with certain joyousness. All the visitors are also extended a warm welcome and invited to participate in the merry making. Even they can play with abeer.
Time for celebrating the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
The Vasant Utsav is celebrated at the time of Holi. The date of Holi varies each year but it generally falls in the month of March. Do visit Shantiniketan when Vasant Utsav is being celebrated and be a part of this vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment.
Introduction
Bera Utsav is one of the famous festivals in Murshidabad. This festival is observed with splendors and that makes the festival more important in West Bengal. The festival takes place near the historic palace of Murshidabad.
Description
Murshidabad holds an eminent position in the history of Bengal and formation of enriched historical back ground. Murshidabad was the main political seat from where various dynasties had stretched their wings. Murshidabad is named after the named of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan who made Murshidabad as his main political seat. Bera Utsav is one of the main festivals that is still observed with grand.
In Bera Utsav wonderful fire works on the bank of river Bhagirathi near the palace can be observed. The colorful fire works and the celebration gathers thousands of tourists every year and tourist from different parts of the country gathers to observe the picturesque sight of the occasion.
Time for celebration
Bera Utsav happens every year on the last Thursday of the Bengali month of Bhadra which falls in the middle of September.
Durga Puja
Introduction
Durga Puja is one of the main festivals in West Bengal. Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in all over Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Tripura. There is lies a great mythological tale behind this grand celebration of Durga Puja. Durga Puja takes place in the months of autumn and is regarded as the biggest festival among the Hindus
Description
Durga Puja being a grand occasion among the Hindus is celebrated with all over the country and especially in West Bengal. According to the Hindu mythology this celebration time is not the actual celebration of goddess Durga. This celebration takes place for five consecutive days it is said that the occasion has been introduced by an epical hero Ram who offered his offerings before entering into the battle with Ravana who kidnapped Sita. After Ram the hero of Ramayana introduced the occasion and that made the celebration famous world wide. It is known that goddess Durga visits to make this land free from evils and along with Durga her daughters Laxmi and Saraswati and sons Ganesha and Kartik.
Time for celebration
The Durga Puja takes place in the days of autumn which falls in the months of September and October. The celebration takes place for five days and in these five days the land takes anew shape where all the people irrespective of caste and creed. People go for pandal hopping and the pandal areas are decorated with colorful lights which add a different dimension to the celebration.
Jagaddhatri Puja
Introduction
Jagaddhatri Puja is one of the main festivals in West Bengal but in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. This festival creates a wonderful atmosphere where they come and celebrate the reincarnation of goddess Durga in the name of Jagaddhatri. In Hooghly district the festival is celebrated with great splendor.
Description
Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated with great pleasure in Hooghly district of West Bengal. This festival is one of the ancient festivals and is regarded as the main Durga Puja in the state before Ram introduced the Durga Puja in the months of October. The Puja is famously known as the reincarnation of goddess Durga to destroy evil and set peace in the earth. Here Durga is named as Jagaddhatri comes along unlike Durga. In this idol Jagaddhatri mounts on lion and dresses like a woman warrior who fights against all the ill- powers. People of Hooghly and other parts of the country irrespective of caste and creed gather and enjoy the grand celebration.
Time for celebration
This grand celebration takes place in the month of November and the date depends on the Bengali calendar. People from various corners of the country come and gathers to take part and experience the glitterati of the occasion.
Jhapan
Introduction
Jhapan is the main festival of Vishnupur, Bankura in West Bengal. West Bengal is the state of rivers and great paddy field and so snake worship is very much famous among the people of Vishnupur. There are various occasions that are mainly observed specifically for the worship of the snakes.
Description
Jhapan is the occasion that makes the people to worship snakes. According to Hindu mythology, daughter of lord Shiva is goddess Manasha who is also known as the goddess of snakes. People worship this goddess so that the fertility of the land increases and as a result a good harvest is expected. Apart from that there are other local occasions like stage shows of local plays and different snake shows by local snake charmers.
Time for celebration
This is one of the main festivals that are very much popular among the local people of Vishnupur, Bankura in West Bengal. The occasion takes place in the months of Shravan which is the rainy season and the season of harvest.
Naba Barsho
Introduction
Naba Barsho is the first day of Bengali New Year. The day is also known ‘Poila Baishak’. The calendar was arranged much later for the welfare of the farmers and people of Bengal, Bangladesh and Bengali community and Tripura celebrates this New Year day with hearty welcome and celebration. Various rituals are observed in every house to welcome the New Year.
Description
Naba Barsho is the day when Bengali New Year commences. This very first day of the year is welcomed by a great arrangements and celebration. In the time of Mughals used to rule, there was Hijri calendar which was mainly a lunar calendar and according to that calendar there were various problem regarding tax collection and that led to formation of a new calendar in Bengali and this calendar was introduced under the rule of Akhbar, the great Mughal ruler.
Time for celebration
This first day of the New Year takes place in the mid of April and this day is celebrated in every corner of the world among the Bengali people. Different rituals and festivals make the day an important day and this day onsets the very first month of Baishak in Bengali New Year.
Rash Mela
Introduction
Rash Mela is one of the important festivals in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. West Bengal is the land of festivals and this land will make you to get the actual heritage of West Bengal and Hindu culture. The Cooch Behar is famous for the rash festival and the fair.
Description
Rash Yatra is one of the main festivals in Bengali calendar. This festival honor lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Rash is the festival that deals with the days of Krishna that he spend in Vrindyavan. This festival is still observed in Bengal and various districts of Bengal. Cooch Behar is well known for its exclusive rash festivals and fair. The tradition and its significance lies from the by gone days of Rajas and Maharajas. The old Raj Bari and the history that lies in every corner show the richness of Hindu culture in the district. Rash Yatra is the main festival of the maharaja of Cooch Behar. On the occasion of this festival the fair that is organized gives the tourists the scope to experience the local handicrafts.
Time for celebration
Rash festival in Cooch Behar is popular in the country and that makes the people from various places come and experience the magnificent celebration. The festival takes place in the month of December every year.
Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival
Introduction
Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival is one of the main festivals in the hilly area of West Bengal. West Bengal is regarded as the state of festivals. Colorful celebrations of various festivals take place in different parts of the state. In the hilly area West Bengal is laden with tea gardens and there are various festivals that are observed and the multi colored festivals of the tea garden make the people to participate and enjoy the occasion.
Description
Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival takes place in Darjeeling which is the door to the Himalayas in the state of West Bengal. This festival is also observed in Sikkim and this promotes the tourism in North Bengal as thousands of tourists gathers to celebrate the grand occasion in the tranquil hills of Darjeeling. This festival is the festival of colors and the air fills with fun and frolic. The hilly area acquires a different dimension with wonderful color and music of celebration.
Time for celebration
This festival is one of the main festivals in the northern part of West Bengal and this takes place in the months of November – December. In these months the inflow of tourist increases to observe the colorful celebration of Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival.
Vishnupur Festival
Introduction
Vishnupur Festival is one of the main festivals in the Bankura district of West Bengal. Vishnupur is the seat of ancient culture where you can easily experience the true heritage of Bengal, its art and architecture that project the golden era of Bengal. The temples and the other ancient structures with elaborate sculptures and prosperity reflects a wealthy background of Bengal and it’s by gone days. Shyam Ray temple, Jorbangla, Radhey Shyam temples are the main attractions of Vishnupur in Bankura district of West Bengal.
Description
Vishnupur festival is a chief occasion where you can experience the true heritage of one of the important district of Bengal, Bankura. This festival can be regarded as the blend of past and the present. The old tradition gets well mixed with the present day. In this festival there is the ancient tradition of local dance and music that is observed. The tribal culture which is one of the ancient cultures can be experienced during the Vishnupur Festival. You can get the local sculptures and handicrafts which have their individuality and uniqueness. The local hand woven fabrics and the hand prints cloths are very famous among both domestic and international tourists.
Time for celebration
The famous Vishnupur Festival takes place in the month of December and thousands of tourists come and visit this fair which has lots to offer to every tourist. Visiting this historically significant place will surely make your trip momentous. Being an important fair and festival Bankura remains populated with tourists and this district is well equipped with varieties of hotels and guest houses to accommodate various tourists.
Diwali
Introduction
Diwali is one of the main festivals that is celebrated throughout the country. India is a land of festivals and celebration. Diwali or Deepavali is the festival of lights where evils are destroyed. Houses and the street are decorated with lights so that lights that is regarded as the source of positive energy prevails every where. The festival is the symbol of unity in the diversity as there are various ways of celebrating the festival and the main aim of the festival remains unchanged
Description
Diwali is one of the main occasions in west Bengal. At the same time this day is also known as ‘Kali Puja’ where the evil powers are destroyed by the mother goddess Kali who symbolizes the destruction of evil forces. The lights and the fireworks make the night a worth watching. The main aim of the festival is to drive away the evil spirits from the earth. In west Bengal ‘Diwali’ is also named as ‘Kali Puja’. Crackers, fireworks and candles give a different dimension to the moonless night.
On the other hand this festival is also known s the celebration of the victory of Ram over the king of evil Ravana. By lighting candles and by burning the fireworks people celebrate the victory of truth.
Time for celebration
October/ November are the time for celebrating kali Puja or Diwali which is an essential festival among the Hindus. India is the land where various castes and creeds exist and so in this grand occasion all the people from various economic and religious backgrounds.
Gangasagar Mela,24 Parganas
Introduction
Gangasagar Mela is famous world wide and this mela is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in this state. This meal is regarded as one of the main fairs celebrated in West Bengal. The mela gathers thousands of devotees from different parts of the country. The fair is one of the main attractions in the winter span of West Bengal.
Description
The mela takes place in the months of December and January. Ganga is the holiest river in Hindu mythology and gaga starts her expedition in Prayag and ends her long journey t this holy place and merges with Bay of Bengal. This place is also regarded as holy destination like Prayag and so it is believed that taking holy dip in this place can cleanse all your sins. The mela explored by various foreign tourists and tourist from other religious background and thus all cultures, heritages mishmashes to from a single one. The light and the sacred atmosphere creates and enigmatic ambience that attracts tourist every year. That can be proved by the constant increment of tourists every year. After taking the holy dip the devotees visit the temple of ‘Kapil Muni’ a well-known sage of Indian mythology.
Time for Celebration
The fair occurs annually, thus the devotees pay their visit every year and take holy bath. The grand occasion takes place on the day of’ Makar Shankranti’ which is in middle of the month of January.
Jalpesh Mela
Introduction
Jalpesh Mela is one of the main fairs in Jalpaiguri district. The fair can be treated as one of the main occasion in the district that makes the people to unite and enjoy the festival. Jalpesh mela which takes place for one month and makes the people to enjoy the fair where irrespective of caste and creed come and enjoy the grand occasion of the district.
Description
Jalpesh Mela takes place on the occasion of Shivratri in the months of February and March. The mela takes place for one month and this mela is held at Mainaguri in the district of Jalpaiguri. The occasion of Shivratri is very famous in India and the age old Shiva temple is the main attraction of the mela and the mela takes place round this temple.
Time for celebration
The mela takes place in the months of February and March on the occasion of Shivratri in the district of Jalpaiguri. Not only local people but people from different part of the country come to take part in the fair which is the meeting place of various cultures.
Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
Introduction to the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
Fairs and Festivals are like a breath of fresh air that provides relief from the drudgery of everyday existence. Indians in particular are very fond of mirth and merry making. The Kenduli Mela is a fair held in Kenduli, birth place of the famous poet Jaidev in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. Kenduli is at a distance of about 42 km from serene Shantiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore’s abode of peace.
Description of the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
The Kenduli Mela in Birbhum is most well known for the gathering of the Bauls, a group of mystic minstrels. They are the bearers of a unique musical tradition, who are identified by their saffron attire and distinctive musical instrument, the Ektara. They have the proud distinction of being included in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.
The Baul community earns their livelihood by singing. The most interesting characteristic of their songs is that they convey profound philosophical view points of life using simple expressions. They dexterously use inoffensive expressions in place of the ones considered offensive and yet succeed in evincing their view point. You have the scope to listen to them if you visit the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum.
The Kenduli Mela in Birbhum gives you the wonderful opportunity to hear to the music of these wandering minstrels who believe in the simplicity of love and life. You are sure to be impressed by their magnetic performances.
Time for celebrating the Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
The Kenduli Mela in Birbhum is held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. This occurs each year in mid January. You are sure to enjoy this premiere festival of the Bauls who are indeed cultural assets of the land.
Poush Mela
Introduction
Poush Mela is one of the main festivals in the district of Birbhum of West Bengal. Poush Mela is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Birbhum and its diversity spreads world wide. The fair takes place for a week and in that week the place takes a different shape with people from different parts of the world. This fair is the place where different culture mish mashes perfectly. On one side you can get the true spirit of Bengal in the form of local music and dance on the other hand people from different part of the country come and blends perfectly.
Description
Poush mela is one of the main attraction in Shantiniketan and thousands of tourists not only from different corner of the country but from every corner of the world. This place is the meeting place of all culture and traditions. This fair is the perfect place to experience the true heritage of Bengal country side where the people and the culture. The traditional music and dance and the handicrafts. People from different country come to explore the rich heritage and the students of Shantiniketan make the fair more glamorous and enjoyable with wonderful performances and participation. All the days are filled with various activities and the local stalls are the store houses for the shoppers where you can get the local printed fabrics and handicrafts.
Time for celebration
Poush mela takes place in the month of December in the Bengali month of Poush. This fair is the best place where the cultures meet and blends perfectly. This fair is one of the well-known fairs in India and remains populated with thousands of tourists every year.
Rathayatra
Introduction
Rathayatra is one of the main festivals in India which is the main festival in Orissa and in West Bengal also the festival is celebrated with splendor and majesty. The festival is a grand fiesta where the holy chariots are pulled by the people. This grand occasion in Hooghly district of West Bengal. This rathayatra attracts thousands of tourists to come and explore the rich heritage of West Bengal.
Description
Rathayarta is one of the oldest traditions in Hindu society. This grand celebration takes place in every corner of the country especially in Orissa and West Bengal. The festival is also known as Chariot festival where the chariots of Lord Jaganath, lord Balaram and their sister Subhadra are drawn by general people and that make the festival more significant as the rope is regarded as the holy one and people with strong beliefs come to take participate in the grand occasion.
The chariots are decorated wonderfully that add glitter to the festival. There are silk canopies with different respective colors to respective chariots of Jaganath, Subhadra and Balaram
Time for celebration
The occasion takes place mainly in the months of June or in July. Thousands of tourists come and gather to experience this occasion that is celebrated with magnificence in the district of Hoogly in West Bengal.
Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan
Introduction to the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
Festivals add color to life and if it is a festival of colors like Holi one may well imagine how it smudges all souls with joyousness. The famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore introduced Vasant Utsav or Spring festival in Shantiniketan, Birbhum to recreate the magic of the joyous festival Holi. It is now an integral part of Bengali culture.
Description of the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
Rabindranath Tagore was the founder of the Vishwabharati University in Shantiniketan, a serene and tranquil town in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. On the occasion of Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum, the students of this university clad themselves in yellow colored clothes. The sight of all these youngsters adorned in such bright colored dresses is indeed beautiful.
They entertain you with some spectacular performances. The cultural programme that they put up is simply superb. The function is very enjoyable and provides the students a great opportunity to reveal their talents. They sing beautiful songs and dance to the tune of great music in groups. You are sure to be impressed by their memorable display of qualities. They welcome the season of spring whole heartedly.
Later in the day, the students as well as the teachers apply a colored powder popularly referred to as abeer on each other. The air is filled with certain joyousness. All the visitors are also extended a warm welcome and invited to participate in the merry making. Even they can play with abeer.
Time for celebrating the Vasant Utsav in Shantiniketan, Birbhum
The Vasant Utsav is celebrated at the time of Holi. The date of Holi varies each year but it generally falls in the month of March. Do visit Shantiniketan when Vasant Utsav is being celebrated and be a part of this vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment.
