Culture and Festivals in West Bengal
In India, we can find different cultures and traditions in different regions from North India to South India. In the West Indies, West Bengal is a vibrant state that hosts several festivals each year. This article lists important festivals in West Bengal.
Famous Cultures and Festivals of West Bengal:
Let us see how many festivals West Bengal celebrates in a year.
1. Gangasagar Mela (District 24 Parganas South):
Gangasagar Mela is the biggest fair held every year in West Bengal. This mela is held for more than 3 days, usually in mid-January. This was held to celebrate the occurrence of Makar Sankranti. The exhibition was held at Sagar Dwip, District 24 parganas in the South. The exhibition attracted thousands of visitors at home and abroad. On the occasion of the bazaar, thousands of pilgrims come here to take a dip where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.
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2. Kenduli Mela (Birbhum District):
Kenduli Mela is only held in Birbhum district of West Bengal. This is also held in mid-January, on the occasion of the Hindu Makar Sankranti. The fair was held in Kenduli, Birbhum district, and attracted thousands of domestic and foreign visitors. Mela is known to attract the largest group of Bauers to Kenduri, wandering bards of Bengal.
3. Jalpesh Mela (in Jalpaiguri district):
Jalpesh Mela is only held in West Bengal in Jalpaiguri district. This mela is held on the occasion of the Hindu Sivaratri in February and March. The one-month fair is held near Mainaguri in the Jalpesh district of Jalpaiguri district. The fair attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. This bazaar is held around the temple dedicated to the great Lord Jalpeswara. This temple is an ancient Shiva temple.
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4. Basanta Utsav (Birbhum District):
Basanta Utsav is only held in West Bengal, Birbhum district. This is held on the occasion of Holi, the festival of colors that celebrates the arrival of spring. The festival is held at Shantiniketan in Birbhum district in March. On this occasion, students of the local university, Visva Bharati University, wore yellow. They welcome spring with dance recitals, songs, and plays. They played with colors and splashed colorful water on each other.
5. Holi and Noboborsho (all over West Bengal):
Holi is called the Festival of Colors. It is celebrated in the month of Phlguna. This happens in March on the British calendar. This is when all are watering each other with paint and colored water. The use of multiple colors in this festival signifies the coming bountiful spring harvest. This is followed by the Bengali New Year known as Noboborsho.
6. Deepavali and Kali Pujas (all over West Bengal):
Deepavali is called the Festival of Lights. This festival commemorates the killing of the demon Ravana by King Ram of Ayodhya. When he returned from his victory, the man was greeted with cookies and lights. In West Bengal, it is a major festival celebrated with lights, cookies and fireworks. It coincides with Kaali Puja. It is celebrated on Amavasya or New Moon Day in Andhra Pradesh.
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7. Durga Puja (all over West Bengal):
Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bangladesh. It is famous throughout India and attracts tourists from all over the world. It is celebrated in October, which is the Bengali month in Ashwin. This festival celebrates the ten-armed goddess Durga returning to her father’s house. The festival is celebrated over 4 days, which is the duration of the puja. Then, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in the Ganges.
These festivals bring out the rich culture of the state and help preserve traditions for future generations. The festivals mentioned above are held annually and help to showcase the true nature of West Bengal.