In old Kolkata, Rath Yatra celebration was very gorgeous. It was the British Raaj in India, the aristocrats used to observe Rath Yatra in Kolkata with pomp and grandeur. Sheth and Basak family of Bowbazar used to organise rally of Rath on the road with their Kul Devta Govind ji. The Rath was 70 feet high. The Rath used to pull on Bowbazar Street upto Laldighi of Dalhousie.
A gorgeous Rath used to run at Posta area of Kolkata. People of all ages used to enjoy the rally with colourful flags in hand, khol kartal were the musical instruments used to play throughout the rally. Some used to spray atar, keora, aguru and sandalwood water among the devotees. Batasa was the prasad used to throw from the chariot amongst devotees and they used to pick those.
Ramkanai Adhikary's Rath of Bowbazar was very famous in old Kolkata. It was almost 150 years old. But now a small chariot use to pull within family.
A silver Rath was very famous in old Kolkata. Its owner was Rajchandra Das's family of Janbazar. Two decorated horses used to pull the chariot then. Raghunath Jeu was the griha debota of Ranima. A 'sarathi' and two angels all made of pure silver were the other attraction of this Rath. Dhak, dhol, kara, nakara shinga etc were the musical instruments used in the rally. And the song (সং) was also a part of rally.
Now, let me tell about the 120 years old Rath Yatra of Jadunath Dutta at Bowbazar. Subhadra and Balaram are absent in this Rath Yatra.
Now listen about the gorgeous Rath Yatra of Marble Palace at Muktaram Babu Street. They used to follow the custom of Lord Jagannath in Puri.
Raja Rajendra Mullick used to observe the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath following the custom and rituals of Vaishnav. They use to limit the Rath Yatra within the Nilmani Udyan, adjacent to their house.
125 years old Rath of Chuni Moni Dasi of Gobinda Sen Lane, Bowbazar was also a remarkable story. This Rath has five peak. A doll is decorated in four corners and images of gods and goddesses are also there in this three storied Rath. People say, the surplus Nim wood by which the 'kalebar' of Lord Jagannath was made, used here to made the 'kalebar' of Lord Jagannath here in the Rath of Chuni Moni Dasi. After Snanjatra, the 'angaraag' (painting of Lord Jagannath) took place. Rajbesh and Bamanbesh of Lord Jagannath also take place here. But now, the Rath Yatra is limited to their yard only.
These are a few mention of famous Rath Yatra of old Kolkata. Many more Rath Yatra were famous in the city, some of them are more than 100 years old.
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