https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Cooch_Behar_Rash_MelaCooch Behar Rash Mela - Revision history2026-07-31T10:21:16ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Cooch_Behar_Rash_Mela&diff=494890&oldid=prevSddhvnkengineering at 02:00, 19 May 20252025-05-19T02:00:50Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Annual winter carnival in Cooch Behar}}<br />
{{Italic title|string=Rash Mela}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox recurring event<br />
| name = <!--Uses page name if omitted--><br />
| image = [[File:Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 07.jpg|frameless]]<br />
| caption = Gate 1 of Rash Mela 2023<br />
| status = Active<br />
| genre = [[Winter festival]], [[Religious festival]]<br />
| date = <!--"dates=" also works, but do not use both--><br />
| begins = <br />
| ends = <br />
| frequency = Annually<br />
| location = Rash Mela Ground, [[Cooch Behar]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]<br />
| coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} --><br />
| country = [[India]]<br />
| first = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1882}} (exact date not known)<br />
| last = <!-- Date of most recent event; if the event will not be held again, use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} --><br />
| organised = <!--"organized=" also works--><br />
| filing = <!-- Filing status --><br />
| website = {{URL|coochbehar.gov.in/festivals/}}<br />
}}<br />
'''Cooch Behar ''Rash Mela''''' (commonly known as just '''Rash Mela''' or '''Ras Mela'''; [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: রাস মেলা) is the annual winter carnival in [[Cooch Behar]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]] which is organised on the occasion of ''Rash Purnima'' every year between the months of November and December every year since the rule of the 17th King of [[Cooch Behar State|Koch Bihar]] Maharaja Harendra Narayan. It is being held every year except in 1912 due to the [[1899–1923 cholera pandemic|cholera outbreak]] and in 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name = 'cobgov'>{{Cite web |title=Fair & Festivals {{!}} Cooch Behar District {{!}} India |url=https://coochbehar.gov.in/festivals/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-30 |title=Covid cancels this year’s Raas Mela |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/covid-cancels-this-years-raas-mela-in-cooch-behar/cid/1799021 |access-date=2024-09-26 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> The duration of the carnival varies between 15-20 days every year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Shashikesh |date=2023-10-31 |title=Cooch Behar’s ‘Rash Mela’ set to shine with int’l flair |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-rash-mela-set-to-shine-with-intl-flair-538679 |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==History==<br />
The exact date of inauguration of the carnival is not known but is widely accepted that it began during the rule of the 17th King of Koch Bihar, i.e. Maharaja Harendra Narayan, during 1783-1839. The evidence of this was found in the book ''Rajyopakhyan''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ghose |first=Moonshi Jadunath |title=The Rajopakhyan |publisher=[[Kessinger Publishing]] |year=1874 |isbn=978-1165679171}}</ref><br />
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The event was first held in [[Bhetaguri]] (formerly known as Vetaguri) after which it was organised in the complex of the [[Madan Mohan Temple, Cooch Behar|Madan Mohan temple]]. Since 1912, it is being organised in the Rash Mela Ground. The festival was conducted elsewhere within a small scale in 1912 due to the cholera outbreak but it continued to be celebrated annually then after except in 2020. The carnival was also conducted after the theft of the idol of Sri Sri Madan Mohan from the temple in 1994. The event is currently organised by the Cooch Behar Municipality and the Debuttor Trust Board which is the temple trust.<br />
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Rash Purnima is also celebrated with great joy in [[Nabadwip]] but unlike Nabadwip only [[Krishna|Sri Krishna]], the deity of the royal Koch kingdom is worshipped as Sri Sri Madan Mohan instead of the dual idol of [[Radha Krishna]]. People of all religions and backgrounds are welcomed in the event. The symbolic [[Rashchakra|Rash Chakra]] is also constructed in the temple complex by a Muslim family from numerous generations which is rotated by people for seeking fortune and good luck. The chakra is made of bamboo and paper with floral designs and pictures of Lord Krishna.<ref name = 'cobgov'/><br />
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==Activities and events==<br />
[[File:Ras 2023 01.jpg|thumb|The Rash Chakra in 2023 Rash Mela Celebrations.]]<br />
The event mainly consists of the programs held in the [[Madan Mohan Temple, Cooch Behar|Madan Mohan temple]] and the main fair in the Rashmela ground. The event is inaugurated by the [[district magistrate]] of Cooch Behar every year.<br />
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===Celebrations at the Madan Mohan temple===<br />
The main prayer and rituals are conducted in the [[Madan Mohan Temple, Cooch Behar|Madan Mohan temple]]. The temple hosts the Rash Chakra along with a statue of [[Putana]], a rakshasi (demoness) being killed by infant Krishna which is visited by thousands throughout the course of the event. Numerous [[kirtan]]s and theatre plays called [[Jatra (theatre)|Jatra]] are organised during the night.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Shashikesh |date=2023-11-26 |title=Cooch Behar’s historic Rash Festival flagged off |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behars-historic-rash-festival-flagged-off-541903 |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en}}</ref><br />
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===Fair at the Rash Mela ground===<br />
A fair is organised in the ground which hosts amusement rides like ferris wheel, mini-roller coasters among others. Along with this food stalls, handicraft stores, book stalls, household goods stalls, clothing stores and street game setups are organised. Traders from [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]] and nearby Indian states also visit the event. Apart from these a concert stage is set up in the middle of the ground which hosts numerous artists from around the region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title='Rash Mela': Celebration Of The Divine Love Of Sri Krishna And Radha |url=https://www.northeasternchronicle.in/news/rash-mela-celebration/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.northeasternchronicle.in |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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==Gallery==<br />
<gallery><br />
Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 03.jpg|A ferris wheel at Rash Mela 2023<br />
Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 06.jpg|A shop selling idols in 2023<br />
Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 01.jpg|A shop selling handicrafts in 2023<br />
Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 02.jpg|A airsoft rifle balloon shooting game<br />
Cooch Behar Ras Mela 2023 05.jpg| A man making Bhapa Pitha <br />
</gallery><br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Shakta Rash]]<br />
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==References==<br />
<references /><br />
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{{Culture of West Bengal}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Festivals in West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Festivals in India]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Cooch Behar]]</div>Sddhvnkengineering