DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL

Fairs & Festival Of West Bengal

Rash Mela

Rash Mela, which held in November and December every year is considered to be the most celebrated festival in Cooch Behar. Raas mela starts from the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima according to Bengali calendar. Through this festival, devotes offer their prayers to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. This ritual of celebrating the Ras Yatra has been a custom in this area from the times of Royal rule here. It was 1812 when the Koch rulers started this festival in honour of Lord Madan Mohan, a form of Lord Krishna. The fair or mela here is characterized by huge footfalls including visitors from other states and sale of local products majorly handicrafts of the area. Eminent artists across India come to perform at this fair.

Poush Mela

Poush Mela is the most remarkable annual fair of Birbhum and is celebrated with great pomp and splendor at the Shantiniketan Mela Grounds to mark the foundation day of Shantiniketan. It emanates the essence of the great Bengali culture and attracts visitors from all around the world. The week-long festival draws thousands of tourists from around the world to experience the diverse blend of cultures, local music and dance, and the rich heritage of Bengal countryside. Commencing on the 7th day of the month of Poush, the carnival set marks the beginning of the harvest season.

Gangasagar Mela

Gangasagar Mela is the second biggest congregation of Hindu pilgrims after the Kumbha Mela. The Gangasagar Mela is observed annually and only on Sagardwip (Sagar Island). Every year during Makar Sankranti pilgrims from all over the country come to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and Bay of Bengal, followed by offering prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple. This temple is immersed in legendary tales and is highly revered among devotees.

Kolkata Book Fair

The International Kolkata Book Fair has been recognized by International Publishers Association, Geneva as the largest book fair in terms of number of visitors Publishers from different parts of the country and abroad regularly participate in this book fair which commences in the month of January every year. Here the book lovers come across a huge variety of books from all over the world. Every year a country is invited to participate as the Focal Theme to showcase its literature and culture. Countries from all continents participate in the fair and delegations consisting of authors, artists and critics visit the fair to exchange views with their counterparts in India on this occasion. A number of important seminars, symposia, lectures and debates attended by leading speakers from all over the world are also organized during the fair.

BISHNUPUR MUSIC FESTIVAL

Home to terracotta temples, Baluchari saris and Bengal’s only classical music gharana, Bishnupur is a delight for music and art lovers. Every February, the Department of Tourism, Govt. of West Bengal and the Musicians of Bengal proudly showcase the culture and history of one of the most prolific gharanas in the country at the Bishnupur Music Festival.