Barodol Mela

Kinjal Bose

Krishnanagar town in the Nadia district of West Bengal is a destination which has gained popularity for many things. The place is famous for its Jagaddhatri Puja which is celebrated in a grand manner on the day of Nabami. But apart from Jagaddhatri Puja, Krishnanagar is also famous for another festival known as Barodol Mela.

Barodol Mela is a month-long event, where one can get an unique opportunity of witnessing thirteen Radha Krishna idols (including that of Rajbari) each placed on separate wooden throne and worshipped in the eastern side of the puja mandap within the Rajbari compound in the first three days of the month. The festival is normally held after Dol Yatra on the Sukla ekadashi tithi. Here Krishna idols can be seen in three attires – Raj besh on the first day of the festival; Phul (flower) besh on the second day – and Rakhal besh on the third day.

The month-long festival attracts a large number of people, not just from Nadia, but from other districts of West Bengal as well including Kolkata. There are many stalls which sell different types of items ranging from household commodities to home decor. One can even witness a circus and merry-go-round.

Barodol Mela has turned into a heritage fair which is still continuing without any interruption and every year the number of stalls keeps on increasing. This year the fair will begin from 19th April. All the photographs of the idols here are in Raj besh. A remarkable thing is people sprinkle abir (gulal) at the deities. Alongwith that, tiny green mangoes are offered to Lord Krishna by the worshippers. As the mango is the first fruit of the season, the worshippers dedicate it to Lord Krishna.

It was said that the festival was started in the year 1764 by Maharaja Krishnachandra. Since then, the fair has been held for more than two and a half century. Though ‘Barodol’, one gets to witness thirteen Krishna idols here including that of Baronarayan Chandra of Krishnanagar Rajbari.

The other idols are brought from different areas to the Rajbari like Shree Shree Madangopal from Birohi; Shree Shree Gopal from Nabadwip; Shree Shree Garergopal from Shantipur. Instead of the idol of Shree Shree Gopinath of Agradwip, the photo of the same is worshipped at Barodol Mela.

There is a story connected with this famous mela. It was said that Choto Rani (the youngest queen) once requested Maharaja Krishnachandra to take her to Ula village fair; but he somehow forgot about it owing to his busy work. Later Krishnachandra brought the whole fair in the Rajbari itself, which is being continued till date as the famous Barodol Mela of Krishnanagar.

The Rajbari gates are opened for the general public during the first three days of the festival. People from several far-off places visit Krishnanagar to witness this famous mela. After the end of three days, all the Krishna idols were sent to their respective temples from where they came.