Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

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 Rajchandr...

        Today is 'Ghetu Sankranti', the fields of Bengal are covered with Ghetu flowers, the kids of rural areas are visiting households with lantern and garlands of Ghetu flowers by singing 'Ghetu Gaan' (songs in praise of Ghetu). It is the ritual and custom of traditional rural Bengal. On tomorrow morning they'll visit households to sing 'Basi' (old) Ghetu song ("Ghetu Bhai, Ghetu Bhai...).