A Trip Through Raas Leela

Raslila or Ras Yatra is an annual festival held in the Vaishnavite tradition in imitation of the Brahma Lila of Krishna. The Rasapurna, that is, the rich discourse of the theoretical Rasa, of Krishna is depicted through Rasa Yatra.

Rasa is a type of circular dance that can be performed collectively by eight, sixteen, or thirty-two people. In Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, India, Shantipur and Nabadwip in Nadia in West Bengal, the main festival of Shantipur is Ras, which is better known as Bhangaras of Shantipur.

In Odisha, Assam and Manipur, the festival of Ras Yatra is specially celebrated. As part of this festival, the worship of Radha and Krishna along with the Gopinaths and the Rasa dance holds special status in the classical and various folk dance styles of Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Manipuri etc. depending on the region.

Ras Festival in Nabadwip

Ras is the best festival of Navadwip. After the Sharadotsav in the autumn, the preparations for the festival begin in earnest; the best folk festival of Navadwip, "Ras", is held on Kartiki Purnima. The main specialty of the Ras here is the size of the idols.

The worship of Shakti in various forms by making unique clay idols is the main feature of the Ras of Navadwip.

How many artistic construction styles, how many diverse designs, how many extensive religious connotations, how many stable expressions of deep understanding of scholars, how many perfect depictions of artists - which collectively help in entertaining countless people. Ras of Navadwip is not just a festival, but a consonant expression of religious brilliance.

Ras is basically a religious festival held in the Vaishnavite ideology in imitation of Krishna's Brahmalila; but Ras of Navadwip is mainly based on Shakti Rasas. Since ancient times, the predominance of Tantric Veerachar has been observed in the religion and culture here.

The worship of Veerachar is not complete without wine and meat (the main ingredients of Panchamakara) and pomp and show. Tantric Veerachar is inevitably reflected in the rituals of Navadwipa. On the other hand, the Sattvic stream of Vaishnavite rituals is very much in the corner.

It is not that the Chakraras of Radha Krishna is not performed inside the temple, but it is very weak next to the magnificent Shaktraras. There is a popular legend that Chaitanyadev started the Ras festival of Radha Krishna in Navadwipa.

If this is true, then it has to be admitted that the Ras started in the early sixteenth century. However, after Chaitanyadev took up sannyasa, the Vaishnavite movement in Navadwipa came to a standstill. Gauranga's family was forced to leave Navadwipa and migrate.

As a result, the continuity of Vaishnavite festivals was interrupted. The Ras festival that began in Nabadwip in the second phase is novel and unique in the religious history of Bengal.

Ras Festival of Manipur

The biggest festival of the Manipuris is Raspurnima. The biggest event of the Manipuris, Raslilanukaran or Raspurnima, introduced by the King of Manipur, Maharaj Bhagyachandra in the 18th century, has been celebrated in Bangladesh for about 150 years (approximately since 1843 AD).

On the full moon day of Kartik, lakhs of devotees and visitors from far and wide flock to this huge and colorful festival at Madhabpur Joramandap in Kamalganj, Sylhet, in Moulvibazar district.

It is said that one day, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra saw the Raslila of Radha and Krishna in a dream. Then, he presented the Raslila dance in the light of his dream. He performed the Raslila like a dream with some virgin girls.

He performed the Raslila by playing the role of his own daughter Kumari Vishwavati as Sri Radha and the temple's Sri Govinda as Sri Krishna, and he himself was the mridangam player in that Raslila. In that, he used his own rhythm. His rhythm is still being played.

According to other sources, Rasanritya was the dance form introduced by the Maharaja of Manipur in 1779 AD. 100 years after the death of the Maharaja, during the reign of Maharaja Chandrakirti, the entire Rasanritya evolved into various styles including Achouka, Vrindavan, Khudumba, Gost, Gost Vrindavan, Achouba Vrindavan.

After his death, Maharaja Chandrakirti spread the festival among the Manipuris to make it more popular.

We have already learned that there are three tribes of Manipuris. One of them is Meitei, another is Vishnupriya and the last is Meitei Pangal. The people of Vishnupriya and Meitei tribes believe in Sanatan Dharma. They belong to the Gaudiya Vaishnava sect.

However, the main annual festival of all Manipuris is Rasleela on Ras Purnima. Some information and data suggest that the first Raslila outside the Manipuri kingdom began in 1842 at the Jora Mandapa in Madhabpur.

The word Rasa is derived from Rasa. Rasa is the sweetest juice of Sri Krishna. And Leela means play. That is, Rasa Leela means the pastimes of Sri Krishna, Sri Radha and their friends and companions.

In Manipuri society, Rasa dance is again divided into six parts. These are Maharasa, Vasantarasa, Nityarasa, Kunjarasa, Gopirasa and Udukhalarasa. Among these, Maharasa has special characteristics.

The Rasa Purnima festival begins with Gosthali or Rakhal Dance. This dance is performed in the morning. Those who perform the Rakhal Dance first gather in a circle in the pavilion and eat Gopi Bhojan.

Gopi Bhojan is a dish cooked with various vegetables and rice. After eating this food, the artists begin the Rakhal Dance. Starting in the morning, the Rakhal Dance continues continuously until the afternoon. Manipuri children and teenagers perform this dance.

Those who perform the dance wear a special kind of dress. This special, dazzling dress is called 'Palay'. This dress was designed by King Bhagyachandra. The main theme of the Rakhal Dance is about Krishna and his companions.

This dance is performed in a round pavilion, sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs and sometimes in groups. Along with the Rakhal Dance, the Manipuris' own cultural activities continue throughout the day.

Rasa Purnima's Rasleela or Rasa dance begins after evening. Rasa dance is performed by Manipuri Kumari girls. Palay is also worn during Rasa dance. The top of the Palay's headgear is called 'Kokutambi'. This garment has a thin transparent cover on the face. It is called 'Maimukh'.

Girls wears a thick green velvet bodice with gold and silver chumki embroidery and a thick green petticoat, which is made round and free from folds by a strong curve and is embroidered with countless chumki and small mirrors, which sparkle even in the slightest light.

This part of the Palay is called 'Kumin'. The lace-worked Peshwaan Khaon, Khabangnap is part of the Palay. Apart from this, the dancers also wear gold ornaments like Kaltha, Khabangchik, Jhjisah etc. with the Palay.

Rasanritya is also performed in a round pavilion, sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs, and sometimes in groups. The main theme of Rasanritya is about Radha and her friends. This dance depicts the beginning of Radha-Krishna's love, their pride and arrogance, and their final union.

On the occasion of Raslila, Manipuris prepare special dishes called Uti, Pakaura, Saibum, Irolba using various vegetables, pulses, and tree leaves. Everyone in M-P sits in a line and eats this food on banana leaves.

In addition, Manipuri women wear saris woven on their own looms. These saris are designed with black borders and long checks of different colors including green, brown, and ash. In addition, men wear white dhoti and Punjabi, and a scarf around their neck.

A fair of rural goods is also held on the occasion of Raslila. In addition, discussion meetings, receptions of eminent personalities, and cultural programs are held. In this, the Manipuris present their own culture, including sword dance, torch dance, martial arts, dance, drum dance, and various dances and songs.

The festival of the Manipuris is no longer limited to the Manipuris. This festival has now become universal in that area. Apart from Sylhet, the Ras festival is held in the lap of beautiful forest light. A large number of pilgrims flock here.

Ras Festival of Majuli

Majuli celebrates the Rasleela of Krishna as the main festival of autumn. There are many different types of Natmela festivals in Majuli. 100 years ago, freedom fighter Satradhikar Pitambar Deb Goswami built an open stage for women to act and celebrated more than half a hundred Mancha Ras.

With the arrival of Ras, the business increases from everyone involved in the Ras to the mask artists, from the organizers to the retailers of the Ras Mela. There are 2600 artists, arts and craftsmen and the people of Majuli are busy directly and indirectly.

The historical Auniati Dakshinpat and Chamguri Satras celebrate Ras Puja while North Kamalabari Satra celebrate Ras based on the immortal creation of Sankardev, Kaligopal. The North Kamalabari Satra also provide accommodation and meals for all the devotees visiting Majuli.