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
Statusactive
GenreFair, Religious gathering
FrequencyEvery years
Location(s)Ramkeli, Malda district, West Bengal
Coordinates24°53′22″N 88°07′43″E / 24.8894498°N 88.1287061°E / 24.8894498; 88.1287061
CountryIndia
Previous event2022
Next event2024

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

edit

Rupa 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
 
Madanmohan Jiu temple, where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu met Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami. The fair is organized around this temple.

Dates

edit

The 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

edit

The 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

edit

Kirtan

edit

The 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

edit

Generally 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
  1. ^ Mitra 1969, pp. 8 and 10.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d Mitra 1969, p. 8.
  4. ^ Mitra 1969, p. 10.
  5. ^ a b Roy, Avijit (14 June 2023). "Ramkeli Mela to start in Gour on June 15". www.millenniumpost.in. MillenniumPost. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Ramkeli – the Vaishnava heartland of Bengal famous for devotional fair". www.getbengal.com. Get Bengal. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "চৈতন্যদেব ও গৌড়ের সুলতান হোসেন শাহ্‌র স্মৃতি বহন করছে মালদার রামকেলি". www.bongodorshon.com. Bongodorshon. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  8. ^ Mitra, Anamika (13 June 2022). "রামকেলি মহোৎসব: রয়েছে কোন মাহাত্ম্য, প্রচলিত কাহিনি কী ?". bangla.hindustantimes.com (in Bengali). Hindustantimes Bangla. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Ramkeli, Malda District, India". malda.gov.in. Retrieved 27 October 2023.

Bibliography

edit