~:
District's Fairs & Festivals :~ |
|
The
grandeur of celebrating numerous fairs & festivals all throughout the year
has rightly signified Cooch Behar as the land of festive moods. Out of the
approximately 3,400 fairs-n-festivals listed in Bengal, 572 of them are
celebrated in North Bengal itself.
Rich in culture & heritage of its own, different fairs are
celebrated with pomp and glory, centered round numerous festivals. Notably, the
intermingling of people from all walks of life, free from any kind of social
distinction, really adds to the beauty of the grand celebration of any of
these fairs. The fairs held in Cooch Behar have a separate identity of their
own for their uniqueness and indigenous clarity. Some fairs portray ancient
tradition even today. |
|
|
Raas
Mela (November –
December) ||
Celebration of
Raas from 10th Nov.
2011
||
|
Raas Mela is the most ancient and traditional of all fairs. Every year
even when the festive mood of the bygone Durga Puja still lingers in our
minds, people of Cooch Behar get set to celebrate the Raas Yatra of Sri Sri
Madan Mohan Thakur. Raas mela celebrations commence from the auspicious day of
Purnima in the month of Kartik according to Bengali calendar.
Though
there is enough controversy regarding the beginning of this fair, its origin
can be traced back during the rule of the 17th King of Cooch Behar,
i.e. Maharaja Harendra Narayan, during 1783-1839. Evidence of this origin can
be traced in the famous book of ‘Rajyopakhyan’ by Jainath Munshi. This
Raas Mela is being celebrated first at Vetaguri, then at the Madan Mohan
Temple of Cooch Behar city adjacent to Bairagi Dighi and afterwards from 1912
at the Parade Ground or the present Ras Mela Ground. Rass is
celebrated this year from 10th November 2011.
|
Raas Chakra |
|
|
Only in 1912 due to
severe cholera, the fair was displaced elsewhere and likely the glory of
celebrations somewhat faded away that year. But from then on the Raas Mela is
being celebrated annually at the Raas Mela Ground. Even the famous theft of
the idol of Sri Sri Madan Mohan on 28th February of 1994 could not
stop the celebration of the Raas Mela as usual. Next year alike the previous
idol, a substitute idol made of eight-metallic compound was enthroned with the
golden umbrella on top. At present the local Municipal Corporation conducts
this Rass Mela and the Temple Trustee Board conducts the fair at the temple
compound. Many devotees along with sellers from all over Bengal and adjacent
states including Nepal and Bhutan throng this place during this fair.
The main difference between the Raas Mela held at Cooch Behar with that at
Nabadwip is that unlike the dual idol of Radha-Krishna in Nabadwip, here in
Cooch Behar only Sri Krishna, the family-deity of the royal Koch kingdom, is
worshipped in the form of Madan Mohan. Here Sri Krishna separated from Sri
Radha is worshipped as Sri Sri Madan Mohan. Another feature is that not only
people of all creed & religion join this fair, but even the revolving
Raas-Chakra (a tall semi-cylindrical like structure made out of paper and
bamboo/posts) at the
temple lawn is being beautifully decorated over generations by a Muslim
family. This Raas-Chakra is beautifully decorated with paper floral designs
and different pictures of Sri Krishna are pasted all over. This traditional
fair takes place for at least continuous fifteen days. Overall, business
transactions of different products, cultural and ritual practices, and the
intermingling of people of all castes & creed mixed with joy and faith
marks this fair a grand one!
|
Index |
|
Ratha
Yatra
held in the month of Asardh according to Bengali
calendar (June –
July)
Another attractive fair takes place in celebration of Ratha-yatra of
Sri Sri Madan Mohan in Cooch Behar, quite similar to the Ratha-yatra of Sri
Sri Jagannath at Puri (in Orissa). In beautifully decorated Raths (big
chariots) Sri Sri Madan Mohan rides from main temple to his maternal aunt’s
house at Gunjabari (within the city) to stay there for one week. Again on the
day of Ulta-Rath celebrations (i.e., after one week) the holy idol is ridden
back to the main Madan Mohan temple. All throughout these seven days of HIS
visit, great fair takes place at the main temple campus and at Gunjabari.
As
per existing records, the holy shrine of Sri Sri Madan Mohan was established
in 1893 after construction of the Madan Mohan temple-house to the North of
Bairagi Dighi in the heart of Cooch Behar city. Since then Ratha-yatra used to
take place besides Bairagi Dighi till
1921-22. Afterwards the fair was extended into two parts. At present this fair
is also celebrated with pomp & glory at Gunjabari for seven days.
The
temple of the royal-deity ‘Sri Sri Madan Mohan’ was built in every
sub-divisional town/city during the reign of the ‘Koch’ Maharajas and
Ratha-yatra is celebrated in all those towns/cities.
During
monarchy, the ‘Ratha’ (chariot) used to parade out with royal status and
grandeur from main temple to Gunjabari. The procession used to be headed by
beautifully decorated elephants, followed by royal army, police teams, police
bands, etc. Then numerous devotees used to follow tugging off the Ratha-rashi
(rope for pulling the chariot). In the wake of bygone days, the district has
lost its monarchy, royal codes & conducts along with the royal enthusiasm
of celebrating the fair. Yet still Sri Sri Madan Mohan visits his aunt’s
riding gloriously in chariot driven by thousands of devotees. The pomp of such
celebrations is no less enjoyable. The royal clarity of the fair may have been
lost in due course, but still now presence of ‘Gilipi’ (a kind of Bengali
sweet) and ‘Latka’ fruit in lots mark the unchanged spirit of celebrations
of the fair. It is true that in today’s fair one would not find the famous
fishing rods and toys built of ‘shola’ (thermocol). Product gallery found
in this fair has changed according to people’s present needs & tastes.
Yet what has still remained a unique attraction of the fair are the village
handicrafts. Notably this fair is the second long lasting fair.
|
Index |
|
Baradebi
Mela :
|| Temple of Baradebi || idol of
Baradevi ||
After Ratha-yatra comes the four-day long celebration of worship of Sri
Sri Baradebi (Sri Sri Durga) at Devibari of Cooch Behar Town. This fair is an
outstanding one among the age-old fairs and notable as well. Though there is
enough controversy relating to the origin of this fair, as per Jainath
Munshi’s book ‘Rajopakhyan’, the temple of Baradevi was established in
the 16th century and likewise this fair is supposed to be held from
that time onwards.
Presently
the extent and diversity of celebration of this fair has faded away. In the
past there used to be on display many things like the royal throne, royal
bedstead, royal scepter in a room adjacent to the temple for the common people
for 5 days (from Sasthi to Dasami). In those days these royal symbols used to
be the added attractions of the fair. These displays are not to be seen
nowadays.
|
|
|
Durga
Puja
(September – October)
Durga
Puja is the grandest festival of the Bengalis. In this respect people enjoy
this festive mood with the highest spirit all throughout Bengal. Apart
from Cooch Behar town, fairs are conducted in line with the worship of Sri Sri
Mahamaya in Dinhata and Durga Puja of the Lahiri family of Bamanhat. Different
fairs are also held in the rural areas adjoining the shrines of Sri Sri Durga
during the month of Ashwin (Bengali calendar).
|
|
|
Sri
Panchami Mela (August) :
During the reign of Nara Narayan, the 3rd Maharaja of Cooch
Behar (1554–1587) , Shankardev,
the protagonist & preacher of Baisnava cult, after being ousted from Assam
received shelter under the Koch kingdom and stayed in Madhupur Dham about 12
km away from Cooch Behar town. From then on Madhupur Dham has been the
pilgrimage of the Baisnava followers. Every year people from Assam throng
Madhupur Dham on the occasion of Sri Panchami. In this respect five-days long
fair takes place. This Sri Panchami Mela is outstanding in its own
characteristics.
|
Index |
|
Dol
Purnima
in the month of Chaitra according to Bengali
calendar (March)
A sound intimacy prevails amidst the religious diversity of Cooch Behar.
That is why many fairs are worthy of high encomiums in line with celebration
of various religious festivals. Surpassing its hundred years of celebration,
the fair that is heald in Phulbari within Tufangunj has a tradition of its
own. Presence of numerous people from different districts and Assam adds life
to this fair.
|
|
|
Annapurna
Puja at Haldibari :
This month long fair which used to be held in the nineteenth century on
the occasion of worship of Sri Sri Annapurna, is not carried out at present.
|
|
|
Hujur
Saheb Mela
at Haldibari (February – March) :
Blessed
with supernatural powers saint Shah-Sufi Md. Ekramul Haque (R.) was
engaged in preaching Islam in Assam and northern provinces of Bengal. In 1944
he set forth for the heavenly abode and as per his wish he was interred at
Haldibari in Cooch Behar district. Every year on 5th-6th
day of the month of Phalgun according to Bengali calendar, people come here to
pray and make wishes to be fulfilled at the holy Mazar Shareif. Indiscriminate
of religious creeds, Hindus and Muslims visit there. In that connection a
two-day long big fair takes places characterised mainly by religious
environment.
|
|
|
Muharram
(March) :
In the sub-divisional town of Dinhata a daylong fair takes place after
the rotation of Tajiyas round the town in connection to the holy festival of
Muharram. The main attraction and characteristic of this fair is “Lathi
khela” or playing with sticks. Even today this fair attracts hundreds of
people from all creeds despite religious difference. Though the origin of this
fair could not be correctly traced back, its reference can be sited in the
annual report of the Koch kingdom in 1884-85.Two well decorated Tajiyas from
the Gudam Maharaniganj village adjacent to Cooch Behar city used to proceed
all along to the Parade Ground of Cooch Behar where a daylong fair used to
hold in celebration. Now that fair is celebrated in Gudam Maharaniganj village
even for a short period.
|
Index |
|
Shibaratri
Mela
in the month of Phalgun according to Bengali
calendar (February –
March) :
A
distinctive spread of Shaiba cult could be noticed in the past state of Cooch
Behar. Many temples of Lord Shiva were built throughout the state. Maharaja
Pran Narayan was a religious man and during his time (1626-1665) many shrines
were built of which those of Jalpeswar, Baneswar and Shandashiva temples are
worth mentioning. There are a lot of folk-lore & controversies regarding
the establishment of the Shiva Lingo (idol)
in the temple of Baneswar . But it is generally accepted that the idol
is named Baneswar after Banraj its establisher. Real presence of this
compassionate deity is popularly believed so much that people assemble here
from neighboring areas on Shiva Chaturdashi according to Bengali calendar.
On this occasion big fair is arranged at Baneswar. There is no evidence
as to from when onwards this fair is being celebrated.
Beside
Baneswar, fair also take place in the sub-divisional towns of Dinhata &
Mathabhanga on the occasion of Shiva Ratri. Recently the fair
which is held at Mathabhanga, has reached wide dimensions over years of
celebrations.
Maharaja
Shibendra Narayan built the Shiddhanath
Shiva temple adjacent to Dhaluabari in 1845. Many devotees flock here
in the Shiva Ratri fair.
|
|
|
Astami
Snan Mela (March-April)
There is a popular belief that by taking a dip in river Brahmaputra on the Shukla Astami of the Chaitra month of
Bengali calendar, one is relieved of his vices and attend Brahmapad (enlightment)
. People gather on the banks of Gadadhar , Gidari (Giridhari) and at the
meeting points of Gadadhar with other rivers to take this holy dip
and in this respect every
year fair takes place in Ambari village on the bank of Gadadhar river. Again
on the occasion of gathering of people at the point where Gadadhar meets
Kaljani river, fair takes place over there mixed with ritual practices
throughout. This fair is believed to be the most ancient by many and rightly
its reference can be traced in the annual report of the state in 1883. Fair
also takes place at Kalighat adjacent to Sitalkuchi town. All these fairs are
more than a hundred years old.
|
Index |
|
Baruni
Mela : Baruni Snan Mela is also celebrated at par with Astami Snan
Mela. On
this occasion fair takes place for seven days at Sahebganj in Dinhata
sub-division. This fair is locally known as “Madaikhalir Mela” . We can
also see “Gangapani Mela” at Kuthi of Rui adjacent to Vetaguri.
|
|
|
Agricultural
Fair : This fair has started recently in agriculture-based town of Cooch Behar.
Agriculture Department of the State Government conducts this fair.
|
|
|
Book
Fair : Initiatives are taken regularly by the District Library Authority to
conduct book fairs in the district town.
|
|
|
Flower
& Fruit Shows : Fairs also take place concerning Flower & Fruit shows in the
district town and Tufanganj by the Horticulture Society. This fair is
competitive based and prizes & certificates are handed over to the
winners. |
|
Translated from
different Sources
:- Uttarbanga Sangbad, "Uttarbanger Chiti" - Ranajit Deb, "Kochbiharer
Itihas" edited by Dr. Nripendra Nath Pal, special edition (1996) of
"Madhuparni" edited by Dr. Ananda Gopal Ghosh, issue of "Tribitta
Loksanskriti" edited by Saswati Deb. |
|
|
|
|
Index |