This article is on Poush Mela at Shantiniketan. You will get information about the history of this mela, how this mela was started and the concept behind this mela.
Poush Mela is one of the most famous fair in West Bengal. It is celebrated at Shantiniketan in Birbhum district. Poush mela continues for three days and in every year it start on the 7th day of Bengali calendar month Poush. With the start of winter, Bengalis feel an un-resistible attraction of Shantiniketan due this Poush mela. People from different parts of the country, even from other countries come to Shantiniketan for Poush mela. People of different race, religion and culture gather at Shantiniketan on the occasion of Poush Mela. In Bengali, mela means get together of huge number of people with different location, culture, religion, race. Shantiniketan Poush melais a mela in true sense.
Origin of the Poush Mela
In the earlier days, Shantiniketan was a small remote village in Birbhum. Initially Shantiniketan was known as Bhubandanga. Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore found this place in 1860. He was charmed with the calm and quite surrounding of Bhubandanga. Actually at that time he was in search of a location where people of all religions can seat together for prayer and meditation. He found Bhubandanga the most suitable location and purchased the place. Later the name was changed to Shantiniketan. On 21 December 1843 (7 Poush 1250), Debendranath Tagore and 20 followers accepted Brahmo creed and a Brahmo mandir was established on 21 December 1891 at Shantiniketan. That day was also 7 Poush. On 1894, a small fair was organised on the occasion of establishment anniversary of Brahmo mandir. The date was 7 Poush as per Bengali calendar. In 1888, Shantiniketan trust deed was done and at that time a provision was made for the mela. In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore started an open air school at Shantiniketan. The concept behind the school was ancient Gurukul system of education. The school was started on the 7th day of Poush.
Inauguration function of Poush Mela
Like any other festivals at Shantiniketan, Poush mela inauguration function is also unique and immutable. In the early morning of 7 Poush, Shantiniketan wakes up with the music of Shehnai. The Vaitalik group start performing. The group goes round the ashrama singing Rabindra Sangeet. After that a prayer is held at famous Chhatimtala. From Chhatimtala the next destination is Uttarayan. All present at Chhatimtala move to Uttarayan singing songs of Gurudeb.
The rest of the days in Poush Mela are decorated with cultural activities of West Bengal. Live performances of Rabindra Sangeet, baul, Bengali folk music, dances, tribal sports and presentation of Shantiniketan present students are the main attraction of this Poush mela.
Poush Mela 2024
Dates: December 24 – December 26, 2024
Location: Poush Mela Ground, Shantiniketan, Birbhum District, West Bengal
Inauguration: The fair will officially commence on December 24, with traditional rituals including the soft music of shehnai and performances by the Vaitalik group.
