Culture and Festivals of West Bengal

In India, we can find different cultures and traditions in different regions which vary from North India to South India. In West India, West Bengal is vibrant with multiple festivals held annually. This article lists out the important festivals of West Bengali State.

Famous Culture and Festivals of West Bengal:

Let’s see how many number of festivals are being celebrated in West Bengal around the year.

Gangasagar Mela (In the District of South 24 Parganas):

The Gangasagar Mela is the largest fair that is hosted by West Bengal annually. This mela is held for over 3 days and it is generally held in the middle of January. This is held to celebrate the occurrence of Makar Sankranti. The fair is held at Sagar Dwip, which is in the district of the south 24 parganas. This fair attracts thousands of vistors both national and abroad. On the occasion of the fair, thousands of pilgrims, come here to take a holy dip in the place where the Ganga meets with the Bay of Bengal.

Kenduli Mela (In the District of Birbhum):

The Kenduli Mela is held exclusively in the state of West Bengal, in the district of Birbhum. This too is held in the middle of January, on the Hindu occasion of Makar Sankranti. This fair is held in Kenduli which is in the district of Birbhum and it attracts thousands of visitors both national and abroad. The Mela is also known to draw to Kenduli the largest groups of Bauls, who are the wandering minstrels of Bengal.

See More: Festivals In Nagaland

Jalpesh Mela (In the District of Jalpaiguri):

The Jalpesh Mela is held exclusively in the state of West Bengal, in the district of Jalpaiguri. This mela is held in the months of February and March, on the Hindu occasion of Sivaratri. This fair is a month long and it is held near Mainaguri, in the area of Jalpesh, which is in the district of Jalpaiguri. The fair attracts thousands of visitors both national and abroad. This fair is held round the temple which is dedicated to the great Lord Jalpeswara. This temple is an ancient Shiva temple.

See More: Main Festivals Of Madhya Pradesh

Basanta Utsav (In the District of Birbhum):

The Basanta Utsav is held exclusively in the state of West Bengal, in the district of Birbhum. This is held on the occasion of Holi, which is the festival of colours, cel;berated to welcome the advent of spring. This festival is celebrated in March, in Shantiniketan, which is located in the district of Birbhum. On this occasion, the students of the local university, Visva Bharati University, wear the colour yellow. They welcome the advent of spring with dance recitals, songs, plays. They play with colour and throw coloured water on each other .

Holi and Noboborsho(All Over West Bengal):

Holi is known as the festival of colour. It is celebrated on the the month of Phalguna. This occurs in March in the English calendar. This is the time when all the people drench one other with paint and coloured water. The use of multiple colours in this festival stands for the oncoming of a good and bountiful spring harvest.This is followed by the Bengali New Year which is known as Noboborsho.

See More: Famous Festival Of Tamil Nadu

Deepavali and Kali Puja (All Over West Bengal):

Deepavali is known as the Festival of Lights. This festival commemorates the killing of the demon Ravana by the king of Ayodhya, Ram.On returning after his victory, the kind was welcomed with the lighting of crackers and light. In West Bengal, this is a major festival is celebrated with lamps, crackers and fireworks. It coincides with Kaali Puja. It is celebrated on Amavasya or new moon day in Andhra Pradesh.

Durga Puja (All Over West Bengal):

Durga Puja is the largest Bengali festival. It is famous all over India and attracts tourists from all over the world. It is celebrated in October, which is in the Bengali month of Ashwin. This festival celebrates the return of the ten-armed Goddess Durga back to her father’s house. The festival is celebrated over 4 days, which is how long the puja lasts. Then, the idol of the goddess Durga is immersed in the Ganges.

These festivals bring out the rich culture of the state and help to keep alive the traditions for future generations. The above festivals are being held in yearly and helping to exhibit the true colours of West Bengal.

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