schools and other educational institutes. It gives an chance
of free-mixing among school kids. This is the equivalent of
Valentine’s Day to them. The typical bhog which accompa-
nies the Puja depends dramatically on whether the family
is initially from West Bengal (or ghoti) or from East Bengal
— now Bangladesh —(or bangal). Ghotis have vegetarian
fare, while bangals offer paired Ilish fishes to the goddess
and then consume it.
The symbolic movement of the chariot of Jagannath is
celebrated with much fanfare in Kolkata due to close-
ness to Odia culture . The destination of the cult figures
are the Maidan. Thousands of people spill into the roads
to witness the pulling of the chariot. Images of Jagan-
nath are set upon the chariots and pulled through the
streets by the children as well as by the adults in many
neighbourhoods and areas. The week is synonymous
with numerous fairs (Rather mela) held all over Kolkata
parks, known for their distinctive food and carousels.
Myth has it that it always rains on the day of Ratha Jatra
in Kolkata. The idols are brought back after a week in
the chariot in the festival of Ulto Ratha. Rath Yatra is an
ancient culture in Bengal in spite of having its origin at
Puri in Odisha. The Ratha Jatra of Mahesh at Serampore
(Srirampur) in Hooghly district is the second oldest char-
iot festival in India (after Rath Yatra at Puri) and oldest in
Bengal. It is a month-long festival here and a grand fair
is held at that time.
APRIL 2018 |
53