Events & Festivals and Handicrafts in HOOGHLY – West Bengal

Events & Festivals and Handicrafts  in HOOGHLY – West Bengal :

1. JAGADHATRI PUJA OF CHANDANNAGAR

The tradition of Jagaddhatri puja in Chandannagar, a former French colony, dates back earlier than 1750. It is said that Raja Krishnachandra, the ruler of Krishnanagar, Nadia, started the worship of Goddess Jagaddhatri in his place, and one Indranarayan Roy Choudhury began performing the Jagaddhatri puja at his own house in Chandannagar. Nowadays, the town has become synonymous with Jagaddhatri Puja, with huge idols, colourful processions and special decoration and lighting arrangements attracting tourists and devotees in large numbers. One of the main attractions of the Jagaddhatri idols of Chandannagar is the ornamental decoration of the goddess with solapith craft and the
beautiful canvas of mats with paintings that form the background.

2. RATHA YATRA OF MAHESH, SERAMPORE

The Ratha yatra of Mahesh, in Serampore, Hooghly is the second oldest chariot festival or Rath Yatra in India (after Rath Yatra of Puri) and oldest in Bengal, having been celebrated since 1396.It is a week-long festival and a grand fair is held at that time. People throng to have a share in pulling the long ropes attached to the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra on the journey from the temple to Mahesh Gundicha Bari (or, Masir Bari) and back within the 8th day. As per legends, the Jagannath temple at Mahesh was founded by Drubananda
Brahmachari, a Bengali sage who went to Puri for pilgrimage and had a desire to offer Lord Jagannath „Bhoga‟ with his own hand. But he was denied the permission. Broken-hearted,Drubananda decided to fast until death. On the third day, he heard the Lord‟s voice in his dream that told him to return to Bnegal and make the idols of the holy trinity with daru-brahma (Neem trunk). It is said that Bhakti movement icon Shi Chaitanya christened Mahesh as ‘NabaNilachal’ (new Puri) and made his close associate KamalakarPiplaithe sebait of the temple. Piplai started the famous chariot festival in Mahesh.

3. GUPTIPARA RATHA YATRA

GuptiparaRatha yatra is being celebrated in Guptipara in Hooghly District of West Bengal since the 1730s. The chariot is a nabaratna-style wooden temple, where the presiding deity in the chariot is that of Radharaman Jiu. GuptiparaRatha yatra is the second only to the Puri Ratha yatra in terms of the distance covered. One of the unique events of GuptiparaRatha yatra is the bhandara loot, which is held a day before the purnayatra or the ulto rath. A month long fair is held in Guptipara on the occasion. Every year thousands of devotees take part in this festival.

4. Handicrafts/Handloom:- DHANIAKHALI SAREE

In Dhaniakhali block of Hooghly every household has at least one loom (tant). The sarees produced here are thus named after the area. The material used for Dhaniakhali saree is somewhat coarse and heavier than other textiles from Bengal but suits the middle-class budget and as such is popular. The best part of this textile is, it is very climate friendly and withstands the heat and humidity of this part of India, providing comfort to the user. An ordinary Dhaniakhali saree takes a minimum of two days, engaging in 10–12 hours each day, to be woven. While the exotic ones take 4-5 days to weave.

5. Kabiyal Bhola Moira :- ( folk singer )

Guptipara is the birthplace of Kabiyal (folk singer) Bholanath Nayak, popularly known as Bhola Moira, who was famous not for his sweet-making skills but for his Kabi Gaan. It is a kind of musical duel in which the two participants/rivals sing extempore on a particular theme in the mode of question and answer and the one who cannot find a repartee in time is considered defeated. It has been a popular folk form in Bengal since 18th century and Bhola Moira is considered as a legend in the world of Kavi Gaan.

• HOOGHLY Govt. Website : https://hooghly.nic.in/