Best Tourist Place for EVENTS AND FESTIVALS in Purba Medinipur , West Bengal .
1) Moynagarh Rash Mela :
This is an annual festival of Garh (fort) Moyna, killa Moynachoura. The name of the fair is associated with the legendary king Lausen (c.10th century A.C) of the story of Dharmamangala Kavya. Every year this Moynagarh Ras Mela starts with the Ras Utsav and 40 to 50 thousand people both from the Muslim and Hindu religion participate in this famous fair of Purba Medinipur .
2) Tamluk Baruni Mela :
Baruni mela of Tamluk is also known as Poush Samkrantir Mela as it commences in Tamluk on the last day of Bengali month of Poush every year. This fair is a very old one. People from locality and other parts of the district come to attend this fair not only for purchasing various necessary goods but also to take their Punyasnan (Holly Bath) in the river „Rupnarayan‟ of ancient Tamralipta. Basically Poush Barunir Mela or `Makar Sankranti’ fair is a festival of harvesting. Therefore, people offer their Naibedyas with all vegetables and fruits to the goddess Lakshmi.
3) Chariot Festival of Mahishadal :
Chariot festival or Rathajatra festival of Mahishadal in Purba Medinipur District is very famous after Rathajatra Festivals of Jagannath Temple of Puri in Orissa. After the death of Anandalal Upadhyay, the last king of this Upadhyay family, his queen Rani Janaki took the administration of Mahishadal Raj Estate in 1770. In 1976 for the satisfaction of her people Rani Janaki inaugurated in Mahishadal Rathajatra festival and a great fair by preparing a wooden chariot of 40 feet height. In 1852, king Lachhman Prasad Garga of Mahishadal had prepared a new chariot. In 1912, at the time of king Satiprasad Garga Bahadur, two wooden horses were added in front of the chariot. Every year, this chariot festival commences in Bengali month of “Ashadha“. On the day of Rathajatra the chariot carries the idol of the family deity of Mahishadal Raj Madan Gopal Jiew, Lord Jagannath and Salagram. Lakhs of people attend the fair. Raja Debaprasad Garga Bahadur of Mahishadal Raj Estate has said that about 3 lakh people attended the fair in the year 1954.
4) Bhim Fair:
Bhim, the great hero of Mahabharata is symbol of courage and might. In many places of Purba Medinipur district, fairs are organized for worshipping of `Bhim‟. Fairs are being held every year in `Bhim Ekadasi‟ at Khodambari under Nandigram 2 block, Kulberia and Taragedia (Byabarta) under Tamluk block of Purba Medinupur. This Bhim Fair starts in the Bengali month of “Magha” every year.The main attraction of this fair is a 40 feet high idol of Bhim.
5) The fair of Lord Shiva:
The fair of Lord Siva (Shiva Mela) at Reyapada under P.S. Nandigram is the symbol of religious togetherness. On the occasion of Shiva Chaturdasi in the Bengali month of “Falgun”, this fair is held. It is famous for various artistic objects made of bamboo, clay and cane. This fair is the symbol of folk culture. It is also known as `Shiver Mela’ of Reyapada Shiva Temple.
6) Basuli Mela – Fair of the Goddess Basuli :
The name of the fair is derived from the name of goddess Basuli. Every year on the last date of Bengali month “Poush” this fair starts in Dinabandhupur of Purba Medinipur district. Local people from the Hindu & Muslim religion participate in this fair.
7. Fair relating to Raghunathbari Rabanbadh :
A fair is being held at Raghunathbari under Panskura P.S. on the Navami Day of the Durga Puja festival, highlighting Ravan badh.
8. Bishalakshmi Debi :
The Mahisya community migrated to the Purba Medinipur district from the Sundarbans area of South 24 Parganas. They worship the Goddess Bishalakshmi Debi made of woods in Purba Medinipur district. The wood Goddess has no body but an oval face. The Goddess resembles Dakshin Rai. This Goddess has to be worshiped before cutting a tree or cleaning forest.
9. Charak Mela and Gajan:
The week-long festival of Gajan is celebrated during the last month of Chaitra of Bengali Calendar (mid-March to mid-April) and Charak Puja commemorates the final revelries at the last day of the month. In the equivalent Gregorian Calendar, the festival usually falls in the middle of the month of April. The manifestation of Lord Shiva as a hermit Sanyasi (maintaining a life of renunciation from all earthly attractions) is the centre point of the Gajan and as a part of the celebrations, people live the ascetic life for 15 days as bhakta. Another important character of this puja is the gender-neutrality. Both male and female devotees can equally participate in the occasion. Fairs are organised during this period at many places in the district.
10. Ganjam Mela :
Ganjam Mela is organised in Naipur during the occasion of Akshay Tritiya in the Bengali calendar month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May). In Nachinda (Contai P.S.), the mela continues for 21 days.
11. Haldia Utsav :
The Haldia Trade Fair is organised keeping in view of the infrastructural development of the port town of Haldia located at the mouth of river Haldi meeting with river Hugli (Hooghly). The Haldia Trade Fair 2010 has been a commendable event in respect of the district Purba Medinipur.
12. Karam Puja :
Karam Puja is celebrated by the Bhuiyas in Purba Medinipur district during the Bengali calendar month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September). This puja is celebrated on the 11th day of the month. The headman of the community leads the puja ceremony. As a part of the puja, a branch of Kadamba tree is brought and planted on the courtyard of the headman. Four posts are planted on four corners and all posts are decorated with water lilies. Throughout the night dancing and singing continues by both men and women of the community in the courtyard of the headman. The women dance forward and backward according to the rhythms and beat of the madal (a kind of drum). The dance is known as patta dance.
13. Pilgrimage to Damodar :
The Santal community of the district observe certain rituals to observe the death of their member. When a person from the community dies, the remains are taken to the river Damodar and immeresed into the river together with all articles used by the deceased and which were most dear to him.
14. Wooden Doll Mela :
Natungram is celebrating this village festival from Jan 15-17, 2016. A visitor at this festival can experience the simple lifestyle of the wooden doll makers and get acquainted with their craft and their making process. A chance to spend a few days of stay at an artist’s house enjoying the splendour of the rural life in their picturesque village beside river Ganga is an added bonus. The festival is being organised by artists‟ society Swami Janaki Das Natungram Kasthakhodai Hastashilpi Samity.
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| West Bengal – Purba Medinipur | EVENTS AND FESTIVALS |
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