Rash Mela

The Rash Mela is held every year to let the people indulge in the festivities involving the Rash Yatra Festival. Many fairs are organized around the state of West Bengal, including some in the capital, Kolkata but the greatest of them is the annual Rash Mela in Cooch Behar.

One of the popular Bengali festivals, the Rash Yatra Festival is observed in the honor of Lord Krishna and his eternal love Sri Radhika. The Rash Yatra Festival is celebrated to remember the love story of Lord Krishna and his glorious days that he spent in Vrindyavan. Although the Rash Yatra Festival is celebrated all over the state but it is mostly popular in North Bengal. In the northern parts of Bengal it has been celebrated from ages. Once coordinated by the Rajahs and Maharajahs, the festival has emerged more as a public affair nowadays but the old significance and royal traditions have been retained with respect. The magnificent Rajbari or the palace of Cooch Behar gets decked up during the Rash Yatra Festival. The whole complex adorns a carnival look during the Rash Mela with colorful stalls, enthusiastic crowd, rich collection of handicrafts and other products. Cultural functions are held and singers, dancers and musicians come from all parts of the state to participate in the programs. Eminent artists from Kolkata are also invited to perform at the Rash Mela. Stalls selling Bengal's very own sweets like Rasogolla, Jilipi, Goja etc. are thronged by adults and children alike.