Rathayatra

West Bengal, a land of warm and exuberant people is known for its colorful festivals. It is said that the twelve months of the Bengali calendar are busy with thirteen festivals. One of Bengal’s traditional festivals is Rathayatra, a colorful festival where people scramble to pull the chariots carrying Lord Jagganath.

Rathayatra is mainly celebrated in West Bengal’s Hoogly District in the early monsoon months of June-July when the rumbling over looming nimbus clouds explode to unfold a rich blue sky accompanied by heavy downpours. Mahesh, situated on the western banks of the Hoogly River near Serampore is globally renowned for its grand Rathayatra celebrations. The legendary Mahesh Rathayatra of the year 1875 was an inspiration behind the literary masterpiece Radharani written by the master creator Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya.

According to mythology Lord Jagannath, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu the venerable Lord of Puri goes on his annual midsummer sojourn to his aunt’s residence with his brother and sister. A blend of religious zeal and passion convert the streets and alleys of Kolkata into a kaleidoscope of colors and gaiety.

Here Rathayatra is a weeklong festival that is celebrated to mark Lord Jagannath accompanied by his siblings Balaram and Subhadra’s visit to their aunt’s residence. Ultarath, celebrated a week later celebrates their return back to their residence.

Children and adults rush to clasp the long rope emerging from the elaborately decorated chariots and pull the same across the busy streets where throngs of admiring crowds gather to watch the spectacle. Fairs selling trinkets and tiny chariots also spring up to mark the auspicious occasion.