Top 3 Sites for Raas Festival in Bangladesh
Raas Utsav is one of the most important annual festivals in Hinduism. According to Bhagavat Purana, Lord Krishna performed His Raas (divine pleasure) Leela (play or sport) with Gopis (devotees of Lord Krishna) in Vrindavana, a place adorned with natural beauties of Heaven. In Bangladesh, three sites are very famous for Raas Utsav. These sites are Duvlar Char (in the area of Sundarvans) of Sharankhola Upazila in Bagerhat, Kamalganj in Moulavibazar (greater Sylhet), and Kantajiu Temple premises, Kaharol Upazila in Dinajpur. Let’s know about the annual Raas festivals celebrated in these famous places.
Story of Mythological Raas Leela
A myth goes by that the gopis were acutally sages who could not interact with Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu in Treteyuga. Those sages got a boon from Lord Rama to be reborn as Gopis and associated with Him next in Dwaparyuga when He would appear as Krishna. Raas means eternal love from devotees towards the Almighty God. Myth relates that Gopis’ love towards Lord Krishna was so pure and strong that Kamdeva (the god of love) was invited to observe Raas Leela in Vrindavana on the Sharada Purnima (Autumnal full moon) and Lord Krishna defeated him. That proved the purity of a true devotee’s love towards the Almighty.
Raas Utsav in Duvlar Char
Raas Utsav is a very popular Hindu festival in Bangladesh. About two hundred years old Raas Utsav and Raas Mela (fair) are celebrated simultaneously at Duvlar Char, Rangavali, Taltali, Kuakata and some other spots of the coastal areas in Southern Bangladesh. Among these the Raas Utsav (festival) at Duvlar Char (in the area of Sundarvans) of Sharankhola Upazila in Bagerhat, Bangladesh attracts the devotees and visitors most. Legend has it that Raja Pratapaditya (King of ancient Jessore, Bangladesh who is also associated with the renowned Jessoreshwari Kali Temple) initiated this festival here. But another source says that Harichand Thakur, a renowned spiritual leader, took initiative to arrange the festival here.Two days and three nights long traditional Raas Utsav (festival) and Raas Mela (fair) include Puja (worship), Ghat Puja, Samudra Snan (taking a dip in the Bay of Bengal, religious discussions, Kirtan(devotional songs), Visarjan (immersion of the idols), cultural programs etc. Thousands of people irrespective of caste and creed visit the places. The local administration ensures security to the festival. This festival is also a signal of the opening of the fishing season in the coastal area of Bangladesh. One can reach Duvlar Char from Munsiganj, Satkhira via Neelkamal or from Mongla, Bagerhat via Katka.
Raas Utsav in Kamalganj
Maharaas Utsav (Raas Leela festival on the full moon of Bengali month Kartik) at Kamalganj of Moulavibazar (greater Sylhet) is also one of the biggest Raas festivals of this planet.
Manipuri Maha Raas Leela
Two sects of indigenous Manipuri community named Vishnupriya and Maiteyi celebrate the festival respectively at the temples of Madhavpur and Adampur. On the occasion of Raas festival, they arrange some programs. These include discussion, Kirtan, Rakhal dance, Radha dance etc. Stalls of different types of products are seen in the Mela (fair). Thousands of people throng the festival areas.
Raas Utsav at Kantjiu Temple
Raas festival and fair at the Kantjiu temple (one of the Top 20 Hindu Temples in Bangladesh) premises in Dinajpur is one of the biggest festivals of Sanatan Hindus in the country. Ever since the construction of the temple was completed in 1752, Raas festivals and fairs have been held in the premises of the Kantjiu temple in Dinajpur. Along with the historicity surrounding this temple of rare architecture in the subcontinent, this fair is known for its secularism. A month-long Raas Mela is held around this festival. Circus, Jaatra, puppet shows sit in an area of about two kilometers beyond the temple premises. Apart from this, the sellers arrange their stalls of various products including Hindu religious books, conch shell, vermilion, beads, bangles etc. Thousands of devotees, pilgrims and visitors from different parts of the country flock here from the night of Raas Purnima.
Raas festivals of Duvlar Char, Kamalganj and Kantajiu temple are attractions not only for the Bangladeshi devotees and visitors but also for the tourists from overseas. For this festival the importance of three above mentioned sites have become world famous and this fame to the world tourism is increasing day by day.
By Krishna Das
