Among the numerous Bengali festivals, the Rasajatra is a popular one. Rasajatra is a religious festival celebrated all over the state of West Bengal. It is held every year usually in the winters around the month of December.
This festival of Rasajatra, also known as Rash Jatra, is observed in different parts of West Bengal in order to honor and venerate Lord Krishna. The festival specially brings into one’s mind the countless activities and deeds that are marvelous and miraculous. It emphasizes the period when the Lord was in Brindaban, always surrounded by His cowboy friends.
In Rasajatra, Lord Krishna is worshipped and fairs that are held all over the state of West Bengal during Rasajatra are extremely famous and people throng the fairs. Lord Krishna is worshipped at a stretch for seven days. The life of Lord Sri Krishna and his several miraculous deeds are all depicted in these fairs. The fairs that are held in the time are popularly known as Rasa Mela or Rash Mela.
The several incidents of Lord Krishna’s life that are generally portrayed with a lot of illustration in the Rash Mela are:
- Lord Krishna’s birth
- Killing of Putana, the witch
- Destruction of Bakasur, the demon
- Lifting of Giri Gobardhan
- Slaying of Kaliya, the snake
The fairs during Rasajatra are very popular for various reasons like the religious aspect attached to it and also because these produce good commercial output. Apart from these reasons, the Rasamela also serves as a common stage for people of different races, sects, casts and creed. Although it has been a long time since the inception of the fairs and the rituals attached to Rasajatra, some things in these fairs still lingers the nostalgic feeling. Things like, 'chanachur', 'jilipi’ and sugercanes of Rashmela are hot favorites for people of all age groups.
