Rash Yatra is dedicated to the devine love of Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha. This is essentially a Vaishnava festival .....

Panchetgarh Rash Mela :::

A 400 years old tradition and the biggest relegious gathering in Purba Midnapore.

Rash Yatra is dedicated to the devine love of Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha. This is essentially a Vaishnava festival which is observed in Bengal and parts of Odisha.

In Bengal, Rash Yatra has a long tradition and is famous in parts of Nabadwip, Coochbehar, Midnapore and parts of Sundarban area in Bengal. In neighbouring Odisha, Rash Utsav has also been recorded to be celebrated in the District of Balasore where Vaishnava religious influence and practises has a strong and deep footprint.

After having adopted vaishnavism under the influence of the bhakti movement of Sri Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu the grand tradition of Rash Mela in Panchetgarh and it's other Zamindari in Bhograi within Balasore Dist in Odisha started and is still conducted and maintained as per the rituals of the old times with full fanfare.

Various Deities of Panchetgarh Raj Parivar who are the manifestation of Lord Krishna led by the family Deity Sri Sri Kishorai Jiue and His consort Radha Devi leaves their respective Mandirs and travel in a very grand and spectacular procession decked and dressed in their full Royal glory and atair to the Rash Manch for the Rash Leela during four day of Rash purnima. It's is a sight to behold.

The four days of Rash Utsav is followed by a 10 days of grand Mela in which nearly 400 to 500 stalls of various village handicrafts items, to Brass and Kansha pottery, to agricultural tools and food and beverages items are on display.

People from the whole District visit Panchetgarh and it is a major economic booster for the whole area.