Rathayatra of Mahesh

Rathayatra of Mahesh
মাহেশের রথযাত্রা
Mahesh Rathayatra Festival in Serampore
Founded1396[1][2]
Founded ByKamalakar Pipilai[3]
PlaceSerampore, West Bengal, India[4]
Height50 feet
Wheels12
StyleNabaratna
ArchitectMartin Burn Company
PatronBose family of Kolkata

The Rathayatra of Mahesh (Bengali: মাহেশের রথযাত্রা) is the oldest chariot festival in Bengal,[5] and is said to have been celebrated since 1396.[6] The first temple of Jagannath Deb was built by Raja Manohar Roy of Sheoraphuli Raj who also donated a large portion of land in establishing the Jagganathpur Mouza.[7] It is held in Mahesh, a historical locality within Serampore in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a week-long festival and a grand fair is held at that time.[8] People throng to have a share in pulling the long ropes (Rosshi) attached to the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra on the journey from the temple to Mahesh Gundicha Bari (or, Masir Bari) and back within 8th day.

Raj Pujaris of Sheoraphuli Raj along with the Silver Umbrella headed towards Mahesh Jagannath Dev's snan Jatra
  1. ^ "World famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins". The Indian Awaaz. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  2. ^ "From Puri to Mahesh in Bengal, the spread of Jagannath cult". The Times of India. 26 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  3. ^ 5 places to see Rath Yatra in West Bengal Archived 2021-07-13 at the Wayback Machine outlookindia.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021
  4. ^ Bengal's oldest Mahesh Rath Yatra Archived 2021-07-13 at the Wayback Machine bengali.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021
  5. ^ "Rathayatra celebrated in West Bengal". The Hindu. 4 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  6. ^ "Bengal celebrates Rathajatra festival". Monsters and Critics. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-18.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Pandit Sibendra Nath Shastri(1934). Banglar Paribarik Itihas Volume 1(1934). P4
  8. ^ The Rath Yatra of Mahesh in Bengal, second oldest in the World, turns 623 years Archived 2021-07-13 at the Wayback Machine indianexpress.com. Retrieved 13 July 2021