Bolpur:The Poush Mela at Santiniketan, jointly organized by Santiniketan Trust and Visva-Bharatiis set to resume from Monday (7th Pous according to Bengali calendar) after a four-year hiatus. Whilst the main fair at Purba Palli ground will be for six days, the traditional Poush Utsav established by Maharshi Devendranath and Rabindranath will continue to be a four-day affair within the Santiniketan Ashrama premises. Although various Poush Mela events occurred during the interim, the one being organized this year is the official fair by Visva-Bharati.
The origins of Poush Utsav at Santiniketan trace back to Dec 21, 1843 (7 Poush 1250 in Bengali calendar), when Devendranath Tagore and 20 followers received the Brahmo doctrine from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish. The upcoming Poush Utsav will commence with shenai recital and special prayers at Chatimtala on Monday morning.
Local businesses and hoteliers anticipate substantial revenue from the six-day event. Anil Konar from Santiniketan Trust said, “We think that this year record number of people will visit Poush Mela as it being held after a four-year gap. The district administration and Visva-Bharati authority have made all possible arrangement to make it an eco -friendly and discipline event, still we require the co-operation of the common people. It would be our first experience to organize such a long fair.”
Environmental activist Subhas Dutta clarified, “Poush Mela could not be held for four years due to Covid situation and some environment related orders but some people blame me. Poush Mela minus Visva-Bharati is almost unthinkable. I find now that to comply with the entire environmental guidelines as imposed by the authority concerned in such big fairs like – Poush Mela or Jaydev Baul Mela where people from all strata of life take part – is practically not possible. concerned to prepare separate guidelines for such public fairs.”
Resort owner Raja Ghosh said, “It is true that this was a much expected event. The hotels in and around Santiniketan looks for the surge of visitors during Poush Mela. We hope that in the coming days more bookings will be done. Before Poush Mela In recent weekends a large number of people have come and stayed in our hotels.”
Officiating vice-chancellor Binay Soren said at a press meet, “We solicit for cooperation from every person concerned.”
The fair’ evolution spans from its inception as a single-day event by Santiniketan Trust to becoming a two-day celebration in 1922 under Visva-Bharati. By the late 30s, it extended to three official days plus one additional day. Until 2019, the last fair maintained this format, though tensions arose when university authorities attempted to remove stall owners after the fourth day.
The origins of Poush Utsav at Santiniketan trace back to Dec 21, 1843 (7 Poush 1250 in Bengali calendar), when Devendranath Tagore and 20 followers received the Brahmo doctrine from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish. The upcoming Poush Utsav will commence with shenai recital and special prayers at Chatimtala on Monday morning.
Local businesses and hoteliers anticipate substantial revenue from the six-day event. Anil Konar from Santiniketan Trust said, “We think that this year record number of people will visit Poush Mela as it being held after a four-year gap. The district administration and Visva-Bharati authority have made all possible arrangement to make it an eco -friendly and discipline event, still we require the co-operation of the common people. It would be our first experience to organize such a long fair.”
Environmental activist Subhas Dutta clarified, “Poush Mela could not be held for four years due to Covid situation and some environment related orders but some people blame me. Poush Mela minus Visva-Bharati is almost unthinkable. I find now that to comply with the entire environmental guidelines as imposed by the authority concerned in such big fairs like – Poush Mela or Jaydev Baul Mela where people from all strata of life take part – is practically not possible. concerned to prepare separate guidelines for such public fairs.”
Resort owner Raja Ghosh said, “It is true that this was a much expected event. The hotels in and around Santiniketan looks for the surge of visitors during Poush Mela. We hope that in the coming days more bookings will be done. Before Poush Mela In recent weekends a large number of people have come and stayed in our hotels.”
Officiating vice-chancellor Binay Soren said at a press meet, “We solicit for cooperation from every person concerned.”
The fair’ evolution spans from its inception as a single-day event by Santiniketan Trust to becoming a two-day celebration in 1922 under Visva-Bharati. By the late 30s, it extended to three official days plus one additional day. Until 2019, the last fair maintained this format, though tensions arose when university authorities attempted to remove stall owners after the fourth day.
