Poush Mela

West Bengal, a state noted for its scenic beauty, cultural legacy and age-old history abounds in fairs and festivities. Poush Mela is one such gala fair, held in Shantiniketan that depicts the quintessential Bengali culture.

Early winter in Shantiniketan, the scenic paradise in West Bengal’s Birbhum Dsitrict commences with the annual Poush Mela. The fair is hosted between 7th and 9th of the month of Poush, near about the time when the present year is bid farewell and preparations are made to welcome the New Year, with its new hopes and new promises.

Shantiniketan, the famed land from where the renowned Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore drew his inspiration abounds in cultural and intellectual festivities throughout the year. Poush Mela is possibly the most significant festival hosted in the fair grounds of Shantiniketan.

Poush Mela brings alive the traditional folk culture of Birbhum. Talented bauls from the nearby villages sing the popular religious and folk numbers and strum the melodious tunes on their ektaras. Lively folk songs, dances, drama and other soirees keep the large crowds glued to the fair grounds until the wee hours of the morning. Visitors from all over the country and abroad, flock to Shantiniketan to participate in the annual festival. People buy trinkets, traditional music, copies of Tagore’s works and other necessary items from the fair’s premises. People gorge on the piping hot pakoras and telebhangas and gulp it down with a steaming cup of tea in the chilly winter evenings. The Ferris wheel and other rides add to the platter full of attractions that the fair offers.