Month of April - Poila Baishakh Probhatpheri - Boitalik↑↓
Bailalik, a Bengali singing procession known as Prabhat Pheris, is held in the morning to witness the first ray of the sun, the dawing of the day.
Bengali ladies traditionally dress in garad sarees, which are white sarees with crimson borders. They accessorize their hair with fresh flowers. Men usually dress in white pyjamas and traditional kurtas. Bengali shopkeepers, traders, and businesses observe Haal Khata on Pohela Boishakh as an occasion to conclude the previous year's financial reconciliations and begin a new ledger. It stands for the idea that every year is a brand-new beginning. Bengalis celebrate poila baishakh mostly by going to see friends and family, getting together for special Baishakhi feast, and going to enjoy the rural fairs.
Bengali families usually shut down the kitchen on the festival day and head outside to have a sumptuous feast with their loved ones. To make your Nabo Borsho even more spectacular, Bengali restaurants in Kolkata always create special menus and holiday specials for buffet lunch, sharing thalis, and takeout gift boxes if you are visiting the city. You might get a first look at Bengali eateries in Kolkata. Enjoy delectable Bengali food during Poila Baishakh Bengali Noboborsho.
Month of May - Rabindra Jayanti and Jamai Shasthi ↑↓
One of Bengal’s quintessential and sort of quirky festivals is Jamai Sasthi — the day the son-in-law or jamai of the house is pampered with food and adoration. No Bengali celebration would be complete without indulging in the tastiest treats possible. The mothers-in-law will do everything it takes to give their sons-in-law the most extravagant dinner possible. Despite the intense heat of West Bengal's scorching summers, each in-law makes sure to feed their daughter and son-in-law 'jamai' everything they like to eat at restaurants or home, which all Bengali son-in-laws look forward to throughout the entire year.
From the sounds of conch shells bouncing from house to house, laughter, and the aroma of cooking Bengali food, to the married girls walking the neighbourhood in their new sarees, ornaments, and laughter, and the sons-in-law coming in dressed traditionally with boxes of sweets and gift packets in their hands. Besides, people without such a plan are aware of the cost of fish, fruits, and vegetables at the market and are familiar with the saying "Jamai Shasthir Bazar Agun."
And every beautiful fruits will be in plentiful supply throughout the summer. Aam, Angur, Talsansh, Sabeda, Jamrul, Tormuj, Jaam, Kathal, Lychee, Bel, Naspati, Peyara etc. To make sure their daughter wouldn't be without these prized fruits, enormous fruits were brought to the daughter-in-law's residence in Jamai Shasthi Tatwa along with invitations to attend the event.
The appetite is piqued by restaurant menus and leaflets in the morning newspapers, digital advertisements and social media events as well. Of course, everyone can benefit from it. Today, the celebrations have moved from homes to restaurants. Make sure to order Jamai Shasthi Thali at the restaurant if you happen to be in Bengal at this time of the year. Your recollection of the flavour of real Bengali food will last a lifetime. Restaurants used to serve decadent 'jamai ador' for patrons with their Jamai Sasthi specials. The restaurant chain will have a buffet, a la carte dishes, and a special delivery box on the menu for the Bengali festival across India.
Rabindra Jayanti, the birthday of the legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore, was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm across West Bengal. The annual event, observed on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, pays tribute to the Nobel laureate's immense contributions to literature, music, and art. The celebration reflects the profound impact Tagore's works continue to have on Bengali culture and the world at large. The day unfolded with a series of cultural programs that showcased the diverse talents inspired by Rabindranath Tagore. Schools and colleges organized musical performances, dance recitals, and theatrical presentations featuring Tagore's compositions.
The cultural events engaged a wider audience by spilling out into public spaces instead of being restricted to traditional venues. To explore the deep topics of Tagore's literary works, academic institutions arranged lectures, debates, and literary events. In deep discussions about the ideas of Tagore's everlasting relevance in the modern world, scholars and enthusiasts exchanged thoughts. Several community-led programmes were implemented to ensure that Rabindra Jayanti was a celebration for everybody. Community centres hosted outdoor events where they invited local artists to present dances and songs by Tagore. This grassroots participation gave the celebrations a more communal feel.
Month of June - Rath Yatra of ISKCON and Eid-ul-Adha↑↓
Rath Yatra Mela Utsav at Brigade Parade Ground (Opposite Park Street Metro Station) 7 days of Rath Yatra in June from 4 pm to 8:30 pm daily. Various cultural programs including dance performances by award-winning artists, plays, kirtans and magic shows are held to entertain the audience. Free khichuri mahaprasadam is distributed. Rath Yatra consists of three chariots for Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Goddess Subhadra. Street alpanas are offered using natural organic gulal and kirtanis perform kirtans with hundreds of drums and cymbals.
ISKCON's chariot will go through some roads of the city. Rath Yatra route starts at 1:30 PM from 3C Albert Road (ISKON Mandir) Hungerford Street near Minto Park -Hungerford Street -AJC Bose Road - Sharat Bose Road - Hazra Road - Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Road - Ashutosh Mukherjee Road - Chowrangi Road - Exide Mor - JL Nehru Road- Outram Road- (Straight to Brigade Parade Ground). And on the reverse Rath Yatra, from Outram Road near Park Street Metro from 1 PM onwards, Brigade Parade Ground-Outram Road-Left Morr-JL Nehru Road-Dharamtala Morr-SN Banerjee Road-Maulali Mor-CIT Road-Sohrawardy Avenue - Park Circus 7 Point Mor - Shakespeare Row - Hungerford Street - 3C Albert Road (ISKON Temple).
ISKCON's chariots have unique features: Lord Baladev's chariot is the largest in height. Its full height is 38 feet, and it is about 36 feet long by 18 feet wide. Lord Jagannath's chariot is smaller than Baladeva's chariot and bigger than Subhadra's chariot. Its full height is 36 feet, and it is about 30 feet long, 17 feet wide. It has huge solid iron wheels to support its heavy structure. A special chariot has been designed with overhead wires etc. whose canopy can be compressed by buttons and extended to full size within a minute. ISKCON has been using the same chariot for the last 45 years.
Mayapur, Rajpur, Calcutta also everywhere the grand arrangement of Rath lasts for seven days. That is why cooking starts in the morning in the temple kitchen. Dishes include Khaja, Gaja, Malpoa, Nadu, Shak, Shukto, Uchche Vaja, Beguni, Patal Pakora, Moong Dal Bara, Maskalai Bara, Paneer Curry, Various Vegetable Curries, Various Chutneys, Chowmin, Pasta, Burgers, Cream Rolls, Donuts, pizza, cake, jackfruit and more variety of food. Not only Indian, North Indian, South Indian, Italian, and Chinese food is also served in Jagannath temple puja. Devotees from all over the world gather in Mayapur, not just in India or West Bengal. So not only Bengali food but food from different countries is also served in the puja. Inside the ISKCON temple, the pandal of Jagannath Dev is decorated with various fruits. Mangal Aarti starts at 4:30 in the morning. Then every day at 12:30 noon 56 bhogs are offered in front of Jagannath Dev. Many devotees from home and abroad regularly come to visit Jagannath Dev.
From Kolkata by Train:
From Sealdah station, board the Krishnanagar local train or any train bound for Lalgola and get down at Krishnanagar station. At this time, apart from the Sealda Krishnanagar mainline train, on the occasion of Rath yatra, Eastern Railway runs two additional trains Special Rath Yatra EMU Train from straight Rath to reverse Rath. Three important places can be reached by these trains. A train will leave Howrah at 7.20 am. It will reach Navadwip Dham station at 9:50 AM via Bandel Junction. This train will reach Bandel at 8.20 am. The other up train will leave Howrah at 9:30 AM. It will reach Navadwip Dham at 12. This train will reach Bandel at 10:30 AM. Both trains will stop at Bandel for 5 minutes.
From Howrah by train:
From Howrah station directly take Katwa local, Navadwip Dham local or Azimganj train to Navadwip Dham station or Bandel local to Bandel and from there take Katwa local or another train to Navadwip Dham station and from there take a Rickshaw or toto to Navadwip Ghat and reach Mayapur.
To travel by road from Kolkata by bus:
Located at Mayapur, 130 km from Kolkata. From the Esplanade you can take a direct bus to Mayapur, the bus will drop you right in front of the ISKCON temple. Apart from this, there is another way to go to Mayapur, like taking a bus from Kolkata to North Bengal and getting off at Dhubulia bus stand and from there taking a local bus to Mayapur, you can go to Mayapur after a short walk.
The chariots of Mahesh and Guptipara of Srirampur in Hooghly are famous. You can go down to Nabadwip and cross the river to Mayapur in ISKCON's Rath Yatra. Nabadwip Dham is the birth place of Sri Chaitanya. Jalangi River joins Ganga River here. The distance from Srirampur to Mayapur is about 100 km. It takes 3 hours to pull without standing anywhere.
Mayapur can be reached directly from Krishnanagar by bus or by hiring a private car. Besides, you can take a bus from Krishnanagar to Navadwip Ghat (Swarupganj Ghat) route or take a Toto or auto rickshaw to get down at Navadwip Ghat from Mayapur Ghat Ferry, cross the Jalangi River and go to Mayapur via Hulor Ghat.
Besides, you can get down at Bishnupriya station in Nabadwip and from there you can go to Baral Ghat Ferry Ghat and cross the launch to Mayapur. There are government launches and big boats for crossing. 7 rupees on the government launch and 3 rupees on the boat.
Required information:
Schedule of WBTC Govt Bus from Esplanade to Mayapur direct :
6:15 am and 3:30 pm. fare: 108/-,
7:10 AM, (AC, Bio Toilet, Saturday and Sunday only). fare: 250/-,
5:00 PM (Banglashree Express, Monday to Friday). Fare: 255/-
Schedule of SBSTC Govt AC Bus from Esplanade to Mayapur direct :
7:30 am (AC). fare - 220/-
For Online Booking of WBTC Bus.https://www.ctconlinebooking.in
For SBSTC Bus Online Booking. https://online.sbstcbooking.co.in
Besides, Mayapur can be visited every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday by ISKCON's own AC bus from Kolkata.
The bus leaves Kolkata at 5:05 am and reaches Mayapur at 11:00 am.
Again departs Mayapur for Kolkata at 4:00 PM. Round Trip Fare 500/-
For Online Booking of Mayapur Round Trip Bus.
https://www.busbooking.tourmayapur.com
Help Line Number : 033 64588777, 033 32488041, 8420050902
Local Trains from Howrah to Katwa:
5:38 AM 8:00 AM, 10:00 PM 12:10 PM, 2:30 PM 5:05 PM, 6:00 PM, Night 7:25 PM, 8:30 PM (Azimganj) 4:00 PM
Bandel to Katowa Local Train:
3:05 AM, 4:30, 5:40 AM 8:10 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:40 PM 4:30 PM 7:35 PM 11:25 PM
Local Trains from Sealdah to Katowah:
8:06 am, 5:35 am (Jangipur DMU Local)
Local Trains from Sealdah to Krishnanagar:
3:20 am, 3:45 am (Lalgola passenger), 5:20 am, 6:10 am, 6:55 am, 7:46 am, 9:35 am, 10:28 am, 10:52 pm 12:05 pm, 12:40 pm ( of Lalgola Passengers),
1:15, 3:25, 4:15, 4:40, 5:05 (Ladies Special),
5:35 PM, 6:20 PM (Bhagirathi Express),
6:42 pm 7:30, 7:35, 8:20, (Lalgola),
9:00, 11:30 (Lalgola Passenger)
You can reach Navadwip by train via Howrah-Katwa local, from there by auto via Hulorghat, cross Jalangi river by boat and again reach the temple by auto. It is convenient to go to Mayapur by arriving at Bishnupriya station instead of Nabadwipdham railway station. But not all trains stop at Bishnupriya station.
Besides, you can reach Krishnanagar by bus or train, from Krishnanagar you can go to Mayapur by bus or auto.
Mayapur via Guptipara-Shantipur, Somrabazar between Magra, Adisaptagram and Kalna across Delhi Road. Instead of going towards Kalna, you have to take the Guptipara route. Here the river is crossed with cars and lorries. Shantipur can be reached across the Ganges by car. Total fare is 130 rupee. After a while, come to the main road and take NH-12 (NH-12) for one hour towards Mayapur. And while returning, instead of going towards Shantipur, it is easier and more convenient to return towards Navadwip Kalna.
Mayapur ISKCON Mandir Nadia Tour
Ishodyan Bhavan Mayapur accommodation. The house can be booked online. The fare of these houses is 2100 in total. Sleeps four -- two single beds and two bunks, mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets are provided to accommodate four people. There is a geyser in the house.
Also those who book Gada Bhavan of ISKCON www.visitmayapur.com
Booking Number - 03472 245620, 9474751202
Calling Hours - 9 AM to 8 PM, Sunday and Thursday (9 AM to 5 PM)
Kolkata Office : 22, Gurusday Road, Ballygunge.
Booking Number - 033 64588777
Those with life-memberships are accommodated in Vanshibhaban. A one-time fee of Rs 35,500 is required. Free three-day accommodation for four people at any ISKCON temple around the world. Apart from this, rooms are also available at a discount in other buildings.
Sankha Bhavan, Ishodyan Bhavan, Gada Bhavan, Vanshi Bhavan, Sruti Bhavan, Nityananda Cottage, Gauranga Cottage, Chaitanya Bhavan, Chakra Bhavan, Geeta Bhavan, Padma Bhavan, Namhatta Bhavan etc.
Sankhabhavan, Ishodyan Bhavan, Gadabhavan have online-booking.
Gadabhavan phone no:- O9474751202
Mayapur ISKCON Temple Other Contact Numbers
03472245240 / +918017625379 / +916295547507
Mayapur Hotel fare | Mayapur Room Price
There are many accommodations in ISKCON-Mandir premises of different quality and price. From 200 rupees to 5000 rupees. Rooms can be booked online by visiting visitmayapur.com.
There is a hot-cold-normal drinking water facility next to Prasad room opposite the Mayapur ISKCON temple reception. Wheelchairs are also available free of charge by speaking to the reception counter. In this case, a deposit of 1000 rupees should be kept.
Car parking charges 120 rupees.
Mayapur ISKCON Temple Bhog Coupon - Food
On reaching the temple, first, you have to cut the Bhoga coupon. Bhogprasad is served at noon and night in Gadabhavan, Gitabhavan, Ishodyan Bhavan. Coupons for lunch and dinner should be cut in advance. Food/prasad is served from 1 pm to 2 pm and from 8 pm to 9 pm. This time or rule applies to all buildings--Gitabhavan, Gadabhavan, Ishodyan Bhavan.
At Ishodyan Bhaban, afternoon prasad is 150 rupee, night prasad is 100 rupees. At Gadabhaban, afternoon prasad is 80 rupee, and night prasad is 50 rupees. A little less in Geetabhaban.
Vegetarian food is served in the temple. If you want to eat food, there is a hotel outside the temple. Apart from this, you can buy Mahaprasad, dry prasad like cake-laddus at various counters.
Opposite the reception is the Ishodyan Bhawan's dining room. There is a limited amount of coupons here. Lunch and dinner are available. Those who cannot eat sitting on the ground in Gadabhaban or Geetabhaban can eat here, there is a chair-table dining arrangement.
Even if it is not in Ishodyan building, you can eat here if you can collect food coupons. The coupon value is 150 rupees for lunch, 100 rupees for night. Couponing starts at 7-8 am for lunch and from 3 pm for dinner. It is difficult to get a ticket to eat at Ishodyan Bhavan on peak days. Gadabhavan tickets are available at this counter. Gadabhavan tickets are available at this counter. It takes a lot of time to go through the line and you have to sit on the ground to eat, so those who can't can get a coupon of 90 rupees for packing prasad. Packed lunch from Gadabhavan can be eaten at home. Tea is not available on the temple premises. Govinda Restaurant offers herbal teas such as ginger tea, lemon tea etc. for 30 rupees. Govinda Restaurant does not take breakfast orders after 10 am.
Accommodation in other buildings in ISKCON-Mandir
Room fare in Chaitanya Bhavan is 400 rupees. Also, Nityananda Cottage and Gauranga Cottage are available at affordable rates. Shruti Bhavan is generally good for students or those staying a little longer. Here there is the common bathroom. Sankh Bhavan, Ishodyan Bhavan, and Gada Bhavan are booked online. Among these, Sankh Bhavan is right in front of the temple and the charge to stay here is the highest. Goshala can be visited by a cart pulled by cows. Shruti Bhavan, Nityananda Cottages, and Gauranga Cottages are also nearby.
Golden statue of Prabhupada in Samadhi Temple, the founder of ISKCON temple, Srila Prabhupada. On the second floor of the temple are Sri Srila Prabhupada's house and belongings. 15 tickets. The same is true of the Chandradoya Temple. Radhakrishna's Sandhyarati starts at 6 pm at Chandrarodaya Temple. Live watching aarti in the morning and evening. The temple is open from 8-30 pm. Mangal Aarti starts from 4-30 am. Then the Sringar Aarti takes place at 7 am, at which time the temple is relatively empty. The elephants are brought in front of the temple during the evening aarti and this 7 am aarti. Radhamadhav bathed on the back of an elephant during the Sringar Aarti. All telecast live on screen.
Chariot fair - Rath Mela in Kolkata
1. A chariot fair is held for fifteen days near the Rathtala minibus stand in Kasba.
2. A fair is held near Ruby for a month.
3. A fair is held in Mukundapur for fifteen days.
4. Chariot Day and reverse Chariot Day fairs are held near Dhakuria Bridge in South Kolkata.
5. There is a fair on both sides of the road near Chiria Junction on BT Road going from Shyambazar towards Dunlop Junction. This fair is held only on Rath Day.
6. The Salt Lake Karunamayi fair is held for fifteen days. Various cultural programs are organized.
7. The fair is held from bus stand number 6 to Naktala in Garia. Now a grand chariot fair is held in front of Naktala Gitanjali Metra. Earlier this fair was held for a month. Now only Chariot Day and Reverse Chariot Day fair is held. This fair is many years old. Mainly trees are sold but other things are also available.
8. The ISKCON Rath is kept at the Park Street Maidan in Kolkata till the Rath is turned upside down. ISKCON organizes a fair on this occasion. Bhog Prasad is also distributed daily.
9. Chariot fair is held at Thapa Mathapukur of ward number 57 in Kolkata.
10. In the Barisha hobby market, the puja committee distributes beautiful delicacies to the common people on Rath Day in return for a small Dakshina. A fair is held there on this occasion.
11. A chariot fair has been held at Kabardanga in Taliganj for many years. This fair lasts for 15 days.
12. A fair is held on the occasion of Rath near Thakurpukur market. This fair lasts for more than 15 days. Also, if you go towards Vidyanagar, Bibirhat, and Raipur beyond Thakurpukur or Diamond Harbour, there are many ancient fairs on the side of the road.
13. Rathtala Junction on BT Road in Belgharia is the only Rath Day fair. There is a fair on both sides of the road.
14. The fair is held on both sides of Jessore Road from Nagerbazar Junction to Diamond City. The fair is held only on Rath day.
15. A new fair started last year in Dewan Para ground near 234 bus stand in Belgharia. It will last 10 days. Also, a chariot fair has started recently at Belgharia Deshapriya Nagar.
16. The fair which used to be held at Rasbihari intersection has been moved due to traffic problems. Now this fair is held in Chetla. Below the Chetla Bridge, Adi has come to the banks of the Ganga. The fair lasts for 15 days.
17. A chariot fair is also held near Airport No. 1. This chariot is pulled from Dum Dum Gokabazar to Siddheshwari Kalibari near Milan Sangh Club.
18. A big chariot fair is held in the grounds of Durganagar Sporting Club in Madhyamgram.
19. The Chariot fair is held next to Kalibari in Madhyamgram.
20. The ISKCON fair is held for 7 days at Sater Palli near Belgharia station. Bhog Prasad is distributed daily.
21. A big fair is held at Harinabhi near Rajpur in South 24 Parganas. It is a very old fair. This fair can be found 10 minutes south of Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission.
22. Rath Yatra festival was held at the Zamindar house of Chowdhury in Baruipur of South 24 Parganas. A fair is held on this occasion. The fair runs from Rath Day to Ultorath.
23. Jashamadhob's Rathjatra Located near Belgachia, the Rathjatra of Jashamadhob is a century-old. The prime deity revered here is the Chaturvuja Vishnu deity, aka the Jashamadhob. The previous 80-feet gigantic rath was destroyed, and a newer one has been constructed since then.
24. Balaram Mandir Rathjatra, the celebration of Rathjatra festival at Balaram Basu's house, Bagbazar is an age-old tradition, but it gained even more popularity among devotees after the involvement of Sri Ramakrishna. He actively participated in the festival during his lifetime.
25. Boubazar Rathjatra, the Rathjatra at Gobinda Sen Lane has been a prominent event in the area for many years. The three-storied chariot with five pinnacles is a spectacle that draws attention. The location is renowned for the diverse and delectable variety of bhog.
26. Marble Palace Rathjatra, the Rathjatra is still observed at Marble Palace, adhering to ancient traditions. The altar is adorned with ornate vintage pieces, creating a rich and captivating ambiance. The overall view is charming and provides a unique experience.
27. Radhaballabh's Rathjatra in Naihati is not only ancient and widely celebrated but also holds significance due to its association with Bankimachandra Chatterjee's family, who were the founding members of the temple.
28. Raghunath's Rathjatra initiated by Rani Rashmoni within the Dakshineshwar temple premises is a unique event. The sacred shaligram of Raghunath jeu is placed aboard the chariot. The chariot itself is entirely made of silver and has a history of over 150 years.
List of chariot fairs from suburbs to districts at a glance
1. A big chariot fair is held at Andul in Howrah district. Earlier, the fair was held for 15 days, but now it is held for 10 days.
2. A big fair in Hridaypur lasts for 7 days. The Mela of Hridaypur sits on the Rathtala near Barasat's Dak Bungalow.
3. The Rath fair near Guptipara station in Hooghly district is famous. Can be caught by train from Howrah to Katwa. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to go by local train. The fair lasts for 7 days.
4. Mahesh Rathjatra, the Nabaratna-styled heritage Rathjatra of Mahesh, is located near Sreerampore, is the second oldest known chariot festival in India.
5. Mahishadal Rathjatra celebrated by Mahishadal Rajbari in Purba Medinipur is over 200 years old and holds immense significance. The chariot, 50 feet tall with 13 pinnacles, is drawn by thousands of devotees every year. The prime deity of here is Madangopal.
6. Baidyapur Rathjatra the century-old chariot festival of Brindabanchandra in Baidyapur, Bardhaman. It is widely renowned for its wooden nabaratna rath, chariot with nine pinnacles.
7. Joynagar Rathjatra, the Rathjatra celebrated at Joynagar Telipara, organized by the Mitra family, has a history of over 150 years. The chariot of Jagannath is larger, and adorned with intricate decorations. The grand fair held in the area attracts significant crowds.
8. Baruipur Rathjatra by the Roychowdhury family has a rich history of over 350 years and is widely renowned. It was initiated by one of the Baro Bhuiya zamindars and has been upheld as a tradition to this day.
9. A chariot fair is organized at Sarjini Palli, Helabartala, Barasat.
10. Mallabhum Rathjatra, it was initiated by the Malla Kings, continues to be celebrated in Bishnupur. The 400-year-old brass-built chariot, designed by temple architecture, is still utilized during the festival. The prime deity revered here is Madan Mohan jeu.
11. Madanmohan's Rathjatra, the Madanmohan Temple in Coochbihar is renowned among devotees. The tradition of Rathjatra has been practised here for over a century. The chariot of Madanmohan Krishna stands approximately 20 feet tall and features portions made out of silver.
12. The Rathjatra at Jalalpur holds great significance due to its rich history. It is believed to be the second oldest (400 years) Rathjatra of Bengal. The original chariot suffered significant damage over time, leading to the creation of a newer replica.
13. Lalgola Rathjatra of Lalgola Rajbari in Murshidabad marks its 200th anniversary this year. On this day, the deity of the dynasty, Shri Dadhibamandev, is worshipped as Jagannath. The three-storied chariot, made of brass and iron, bears the tradition.
14. Natungunj Rathjatra, the grand Rathjatra celebrated annually at Natungunj Bankura is commonly known as the Bawro Rath. The enormous brass chariot, featuring 13 pinnacles and three stories, is a unique masterpiece that showcases the authentic Bengali style of craftsmanship.
15. Lokkhinarayan Jeu's Rathjatra of Bardhaman Rajbari has a rich history of over 300 years and is known for its uniqueness. A single metal chariot is taken around the temple premises currently. The primary deities revered are the Gopal idol and Lokkhinarayan jeu.
16. Raniganj Rathjatra, the magnificent chariot of the Raniganj Rajbari at Searsole is truly grand, majestic, and unmatched by any other. Made entirely of brass, this chariot is nearly 180 years old. It stands as a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and is a true work of art.
Eid-ul-Adha is a time to express gratitude for the blessings received and to acknowledge the importance of self-discipline and faith. Eid-ul-Adha emphasizes acts of charity and kindness. Many Muslims use this occasion to provide for those in need, ensuring that everyone can partake in the festivities. Hospitality is a significant aspect of the festival, with families inviting friends, neighbours, and even strangers to share in the festive meals. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts. One-third is given to the needy and less fortunate, one-third is shared with relatives and friends, and one-third is kept for the family. The festive atmosphere is palpable throughout communities. Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims around the world. It is a day of unity, where people from various cultures and backgrounds come together to mark this important religious festival.
Among the Five Pillars of Islam is fasting throughout the month of Ramadan. Suhur is the meal consumed just before dawn when the fast starts. It is an essential component of Ramadan since it gives you the food you need to get through a whole fasting day. Suhur is usually eaten before the Islamic pre-dawn prayer known as Fajr. To guarantee a balance of nutrients and maintain energy throughout the day, the meal often consists of a variety of meals. Muslims break their fast with iftar, a meal served at dusk. The daily fast comes to an end with the call to prayer for Maghrib, or evening prayer. Muslims usually start Iftar by eating dates and drinking water, as the Prophet Muhammad did. Iftar is a communal gathering that typically begins with the Maghrib prayer and ends with a substantial supper. The most popular foods served at the iftar feast during Ramadan include dates, rooh afza, korma, Mezban, and burhani.
Month of July - Sravani Mela Tarakeswar ↑↓
Pilgrimage geography in tourism has evolved to consider socio-cultural development, economic advantages, interpersonal relationships, and cultural pluralism. It examines travel patterns, emotional ties, economic nature, and community development. Similar to Japan's Shikoku pilgrimage, pilgrims visit the Tarakeswar Temple in West Bengal, staying for two to eight days. Shiva temples in Tarakeswar, West Bengal attract millions of visitors for festivals like (July–August), Chaitra Sankranti (April), and Shivaratri (March). The Taraknath temple, built in 1729, is a significant pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. The number of pilgrims in all of West Bengal has increased as a result of the last three to four decades' growth in Tarakeswar, and Hoogly, and this increase has also resulted in qualitative changes to the pilgrim destinations. The growth of mass media in recent decades, more pilgrim-related amenities and information, and better transportation networks have all contributed to the rising motivation of pilgrims to visit Tarakeswar.
Raja Vishnu Das is thought to have arrived from Ayodhya in the 18th century and settled in the area that is now Tarakeswar town. He and his brother came to a location where cows used to daily pour their milk into a Shiva lingam. After a few days, Raja and his brother built the current Tarakeswar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, with the assistance of the nearby locals. On the other hand, Raja Bharamalla built the temple's current construction in 1729. The temple's architectural style is that of an 'atchala' structure, which is a kind of Bengali temple architecture. A 'nat mandir' stands in front of the temple's main structure, and nearby are the shrines dedicated to Kali and Lakshmi Narayan. A water storage tank called Dudhpukur.
Come barefoot, devotees assemble here to bathe the Shivalinga inside the main temple in water. When someone bathes in the neighbouring pond, known as the Dudhpukur, it is thought to be a hallowed place where their wishes come true. According to the main poll, people typically choose to visit locations with religious significance to fulfil certain desires. The most fundamental purpose of visiting any sacred site is to hope for good health and fortune for oneself and one's loved ones. Since most pilgrims are under thirty years old, the majority of them are single men.
Nonetheless, a sizable number of pilgrims travel there throughout the year to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple during the Shravan month when there are special celebrations. It is believed that Shiva will bless the devotees with good fortune over the entire month of Sravana, which runs from mid-July to mid-August. On Mondays, devotees celebrate by taking a plunge and gathering water to pour on the Shiva lingam. Apart from this period, a significant number of devotees gather here to offer prayers to the Lord on the occasions of 'Shivaratri' and 'Gajan' in the Bengali months of Phalgun (February–March) and Chaitra (mid-April), respectively. This kind of travel is intended to showcase the nation's artistic heritage, cultural traditions, and historical rites and customs.
Religious tourism involves pilgrims visiting destinations for darshan or religious purposes. Despite changing socio-political, economic, and cultural landscapes, Hindu pilgrims still revere the Taraknath temple in Tarakeswar, which attracts thousands during the Gajan and Charak festival.
A plan to upgrade the Tarakeswar temple and the Dudhpukur to make the entire location more pilgrim-friendly was approved by the West Bengal government. According to a Times of India report from November 6, 2021, part of the regeneration of the Dudhpukur is to treat the pond water with ozone, which will oxidize bacteria and other water-borne pathogens and lessen their contamination. Pilgrimage planning during the festive season can create a peaceful, sustainable destination environment, improving pilgrims' understanding, safety, cleanliness, hospitality, recreational opportunities, and support services. This leads to positive spiritual engagement, satisfaction, and emotional bonds with the site, as people from far-off areas have a strong connection to the experience.
Month of August - Community Raksha Bandan and Rakhi ↑↓
Raksha Bandhan Utsav celebrates the heavenly relationship between siblings. This Raksha Bandhan is observed every year on the full moon day of the month of Shravan. Sisters tie beautiful sacred threads on the wrists of their brothers which is used as a symbol of the 'bond of safety and protection'. They wish their brothers well and brothers promise to protect their sisters. It is believed that on this particular day, there are more "Yam" or malefic and malefic elements in the environment, and there is a danger of harm to the brother, but Rakhi Bandhan removes it.
In Bengal, the Rakhi tie used to stand for both Hindus and Muslims' unending protection. In 1905, Rabindranath Tagore devised a novel method of protesting Bengal's communal split. The opposition to Bengal's partition was fierce and widespread. Declaring the Swadeshi movement, the Indian National Congress urged the people to refuse all imports, hitting the colonial authorities where it stung the most. It became common practice to burn foreign clothing in large quantities. However, under the direction of the greatest Bengali symbol of all time, Rabindranath Tagore, the protest—like everything else in Bengal—took on a distinct personality.
October 16, the day of the partition, was proclaimed by Tagore as a day of national mourning, on which no food would be prepared in Bengali homes. Tagore selected the symbol of the rakhi, a holy thread that a sister ties around her brother's wrist in return for protection, to represent the relationship between Bengali Hindus and Muslims. Since the brother promised to protect her for as long as she was living, the sister would traditionally pray for the brother to live a long life. Rather, Tagore wished for Muslims and Hindus to tie rakhis for one another, forming an unbreakable lifetime relationship of protection. On October 16, Tagore took a swim in the Ganga to start his day. He was escorted by a procession from the banks as he made his way through the streets, tying rakhis on the wrists of everyone he saw. The passionate poet had a large bundle of rakhis in his arms, but those who were with him thought he had gone too far when he attempted to enter a mosque south of his home and tie rakhis around the wrists of the maulvis. Fortunately for Tagore, the maulvis had no concerns and the procession continued. Tagore was never one to be deterred.
Month of September ↑↓
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Month of October ↑↓
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Month of November ↑↓
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Month of December ↑↓
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Month of January ↑↓
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Month of February ↑↓
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Month of March ↑↓
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