Ramkeli Mela[1] (Bengali: রামকেলি মেলা) is a pilgrimage and fair of Hinduism. On the occasion of this fair, devout Hindus come to Ramkeli.[2] Generally the Ramkeli fair is organized every year at Ramkeli. Ramkeli is known as the Gupto Vrindavan[3] (Secret Vrindavan), an important pilgrimage site for the Vaishnavism.[4]
| Ramkeli Mela রামকেলি মেলা | |
|---|---|
| Status | active |
| Genre | Fair, Religious gathering |
| Frequency | Every years |
| Location(s) | Ramkeli, Malda district, West Bengal |
| Coordinates | 24°53′22″N 88°07′43″E / 24.8894498°N 88.1287061°E |
| Country | India |
| Previous event | 2022 |
| Next event | 2024 |
The fair starts every year on Joishtho Sankranti of Bengali calendar,[5] and lasts for 7 days.[2] It is the largest fair and religious gathering in Malda district and one of the largest in West Bengal.
History
editRupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami, known as Mahavaishnavas, were included in the cabinet of Gauda ruler Husain Shah. They established the Madanmohan Temple at Ramkeli in 1509. During his journey to Vrindavan, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu met two Mahavaishnavas Rupa Goswami and Sanatan Goswami. On 15 June 1515, he met on Jaishtha Sankranti under the Kelikdamba (Mitragyna parvifolia) and Tamal (Diospyros montana) trees adjacent to the Madanamohan temple at Ramkeli village.[3] Festivals or fairs have been held at Ramkeli for more than 500 years to celebrate this meeting of Mahaprabhu and Rupa-Sanatan.[2][6][7][8]
Dates and Location
edit
Dates
editThe fair is usually held on June 15 to mark the arrival of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on Joishtho Sankranti at Ramkeli.[3][5] According to tradition, the Mahat Utsaba (grand festival) lasts for three days, and the fair lasts for 7 days.[2]
Location
editThe Ramkeli Mela is held at Ramkeli village,[9] which belongs to the area of the medieval Bengal capital city of Gauḍa[3] and is close to the India–Bangladesh international border.[7] The site belongs to Malda district of West Bengal. The fair is organized around the Madanmohan temple.[7]
Rituals
editKirtan
editThe kirtan festival starts from the first day of the fair, and continues till the third day. This festival is attended by devout Hindus of the Vaishnavism. Vaishnavas and Vaishnavees attend the kirtan festival. A large number of Akhara are also constructed for the Vaishnavas and Vaishnavees throughout Ramkeli village.[2]
Maternal Pinda
editGenerally in Hinduism the pindas is offered to paternal lineages. But, in the Ramkeli Mela there is a tradition of Maternal Pinda, and offer pindas to maternal lineages by women. Women devotees from Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha attend the fair, and they offer pindas to maternal lineages. Pindas are offered to maternal lineages runs from 5 am to 12 pm.[7]
References
edit- ^ Mitra 1969, pp. 8 and 10.
- ^ a b c d e "পয়লা দিনেই সরগরম মালদহের প্রাচীন রামকেলি মেলা". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Malda: Anandabazar Patrika. 15 Jun 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d Mitra 1969, p. 8.
- ^ Mitra 1969, p. 10.
- ^ a b Roy, Avijit (14 June 2023). "Ramkeli Mela to start in Gour on June 15". www.millenniumpost.in. MillenniumPost. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Ramkeli – the Vaishnava heartland of Bengal famous for devotional fair". www.getbengal.com. Get Bengal. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "চৈতন্যদেব ও গৌড়ের সুলতান হোসেন শাহ্র স্মৃতি বহন করছে মালদার রামকেলি". www.bongodorshon.com. Bongodorshon. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Mitra, Anamika (13 June 2022). "রামকেলি মহোৎসব: রয়েছে কোন মাহাত্ম্য, প্রচলিত কাহিনি কী ?". bangla.hindustantimes.com (in Bengali). Hindustantimes Bangla. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Ramkeli, Malda District, India". malda.gov.in. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
Bibliography
edit- Mitra, Ashok, ed. (1969) [1958]. পশ্চিমবঙ্গের পূজা-পার্বণ ও মেলা [Puja-parbans and fairs of West Bengal] (PDF) (in Bengali). Vol. 1 (First ed.).