Jhulan Yatra is the religious occasion for Hindus and Vaishnavas. It mainly observed in 'Bonedi' families and in Moth and temples, but the children especially are enthusiastic to decorate 'Jhulan' in the entrance of their houses during all 5 day long, with sand, stones, woods, clay dolls and toys, small trees, puppet huts and wooden swings for the jhulan of Radha-Krishna. The family members use to perform rituals and puja of the house-god lord Krishna on the day of Jhulan Purnima with Radha.
House of Ramkanai Adhikary at Bowbazar in Kolkata is familiar with the name 'Jhulan Bari'. Jhulan Yatra is being observed here for the last 200 years. Krishnamohan Adhikary of this family was initiated Jhulan Yatra in the family 200 years ago. On the first day of this festival, lord Krishna is being decorated with a special dress - Rakhal Besh (রাখাল বেশ), 2nd day Yogi Besh (যোগী বেশ), 3rd day Subal Besh (সুবল বেশ), 4th day Kotal Besh (কোটাল বেশ) and on 5th day Raj Besh (রাজ বেশ). The festival starts with Hom (হোম) on the first day and they use to present different type of Bhog (à¦োগ) to lord Krishna each day. And it is their custom to invite all family members living in another state or city to come and participate in this family.
Classical music concert is another main attraction of their family during this festival. When Ramkanai Adhikary was alive, renowned classical singers of that time Jadu Bhatta, Aghor Nath Chakravorty, Radhika Prasad Goswami used to sing in his house. Ramkanai himself was a good Pakhwaj player and he used to play it with the song of Jadu Bhatta. Later, Pandit V G Jog, Gnan Prakash Ghosh, Hiru Ganguly, A T Kanan, Malabika Kanan etc. used to come to participate in this festival in the house of Ramkanai. Classical recitals still pour music inside this house during this 5-day long Jhulan.
At Chaltabagan area, on Binod Saha Lane, special puja of lord Krishna is being observed at the house of Bankubehary Saha's house. They offer special bhog to the deity. Radha-Krishna katha was a very charming play they used to perform by clay models. It is the popular puppet play.
On this lane, this Jhulan Yatra was also an yearly festival in which, the Mondal family too still use to observe this festival. It is occur at the temple of Radha-Krishna Jiu. And the festival run for seven days - from Ekadashi to Dwitiya. On first day Jugal Besh of Radha-Krishna here, second day Ananta Darshan, on third day Ras lila, on fourth day Nouka Bilas, Chandrabali Kunj on fifth day, on sixth day Rai Raja and finally on seventh day, it is called Milan Besh. Luchi, Malpoa, suji are offered to lord Krishna here. Mela is an attraction of this festival here, it is on Binod Saha Lane, on Vivekananda Road.
. In south Kolkata, on Tollygunje Road, Udainarayan Mandal of Bawali, initiated Jhulan Yatra festival at Madan Mohan Jiu's temple. Here, the festival is for three days. And at the dawn, the offerings to Radha-Krishna is the 'snan' by coconut water, and then, new 'Besh' of the deities is the rituals they perform.
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