19th
Nov
2021

Rash Utsav 2021

Festival induces positivity and takes one into the bright vestibules of human's mind, repelling negativity.

The Raas Yatra of Lord Krishna has its reference in the Bhagavat Purana and the Vishnu Purana.  It is generally believed that on the full moon or Purnima night of Kartik month, when the moon shines in all its glory and purity, the Lord desires to dance in this magical night.  Hence every year on Kartik Purnima, which falls in November, Raas Utsav is celebrated with much grandeur in Nadia. Even Guru Purnima is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima, which is the fifteenth lunar day in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu calendar. The festival celebrating the love of Krishna for his divine consort, Radha was observed on November 19, this year. With the onset of Raas Utsav in Nadia district, mainly in Nabadwip and Santipur, people celebrated the festival with equal religious sentiment and fervour.

At Nabadwip and Santipur, the Shaktas who are devotees of Shakti worship and the Saivas who are devotees of Siva become united with the Vaishnavas, the devotees of Vishnu. Thus, in this fest, both the places come alive with love, light and devotion. Maharaja Krishna Chandra Roy, Nadia is responsible for this Rash Yatra at Nabadwip. Here Hari and Hara, Krishna & Kali are the halves of each other. Various types of idols are worshipped in different pandals. They are well decorated, brightly illuminated and the idols are decked up with varied ornaments of thermocol artwork, popularly called ‘Daker Saaj’. The town actually reverberates with the beatings of Drums, the music of Flutes and Banjos and Mridangas and Kartals. Even in Santipur, “Raas (Rash)” is the main festival, which is thought to have begun by Mathuresh Goswami, the great grandson of Advaita Acharya who was one of the main associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Most of the deities with vibrant, colourful dresses and golden ornaments take part in the procession at the night of “Bhanga Raas”. The deities and “Rairaja” of Santipur are charming, captivating and charismatic. The town celebrates the festival with much pomp and grandeur.

Krishnagar Public School, with a vision of imparting quality education, fostering all round development of a child and igniting the young minds, celebrated the auspicious occasion on virtual platform. In view of restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic, Team KPS took the initiative in motivating the students to participate in the Rash Purnima Event. The students delivered speech and even prepared card. They participated virtually with much enthusiasm, fervour and aplomb. The students left everyone spellbound with their scintillating acts. The Principal, Dr. Sankar Prasad Dutta, Krishnagar Public School, Nadia, conveyed a heartfelt message, stating “The festival must allow the spiritual light to burn away the negativity and enlighten our thoughts with love, compassion, generosity, kindness and peace. On this pious occasion may the softness of moonshine bring along happiness, health, and joy in everyone’s life.”