Ras Purnima Celebrated Across West Bengal with Devotional Fervour and Traditional Festivities

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Ras Purnima Celebrated Across West Bengal with Devotional Fervour and Traditional Festivities

Ras Purnima, a festival of deep religious and cultural significance, is being celebrated with devotion and grandeur across West Bengal.
The celebrations are marked by Ras Jatra Utsavs, processions, devotional gatherings, and melas (fairs) at several historic and spiritually important sites.
Prominent locations of celebration include:
- Nabadwip, Mayapur, and Shantipur in Nadia district, known for their association with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
- Madan Mohan Mandir in Coochbehar district, hosting a 213-year-old Ras Utsav and mela, which commenced today and will continue for 15 days.
- Shyam Sunder Mandir and Kasipur Rajbati in North 24 Parganas district, where devotees participate in traditional rituals and community festivities.
Mandirs have been beautifully decorated with flowers, and colourful processions add vibrancy to the celebrations.
The festival embodies the spirit of devotion (bhakti) and communal harmony, bringing together thousands of devotees and pilgrims.

Ras Purnima is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartik month as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
The festival commemorates Lord Krishna’s Ras Leela with Radha and the Gopis in Vrindavan, symbolizing divine love and spiritual unity.
It holds special importance in Vaishnavism, particularly among followers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who revitalized Krishna devotion in Bengal.
Nabadwip and Mayapur are major pilgrimage centres for Gaudiya Vaishnavas and are associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Coochbehar’s Madan Mohan Temple, built in the 19th century, is one of the oldest and most revered sites for Ras Utsav in the region.

Updated – 5 Nov 2025 ; 02:20 PM | NewsOnAir