Jhulanyatra
Kinjal Bose
Jhulanyatra, a five-day festival is normally celebrated in the Bengali month of Shravan (August) every year. It is held in different parts of Calcutta; but there are several houses in Central Calcutta where Jhulanyatra is held with great pomp and splendor even today. Some of the families are celebrating this festival for more than 150 years. All the families are still maintaining this age-old tradition.
Jhulan Bari of Ramkanai Adhikary of 28, Baburam Sil Lane, Calcutta is celebrating this festival for seven generations. Here, Jhulanyatra is celebrated in a grand way coupled with five days of classical music programme. The famous vocalist Jadu Bhatta (1840-1883) had performed here and used to stay here during the five days of the festival. The beautifully maintained thakurdalan is the place where the classical music programme is held. According to a family member, Ramkanai Adhikary used to accompany Jadu Bhatta in pakhowaj on all the days of the programme. Jhulanyatra is being performed here for almost 200 years. Krishnomhan Adhikary, great-grandfather of Ramkanai Adhikary founded this thakurbari almost two centuries back and installed the idols of Radha Krishna, Gour Netai and Lord Jagannath. The idol of Krishna is made of kosthi pathar (touchstone) while that of Radhika is made from astadhatu (an alloy of eight metals). The Radha-Krishna idols are placed on a wooden throne. According to family sources the classical music programme was being held from 1875 onwards making this programme the oldest classical music conference in Calcutta. Many famous artists have performed here. The classical programme is held just after the evening arati is performed. A lot of people witness this music programme for five days.
Kinjal Bose
The Jhulanyatra of Sree Gouranga Mandir of 36, Sashi Bhusan Dey Street, Calcutta is being celebrated for more than 150 years according to a family member. A deed dated back to the days of Sepoy Mutiny proved that Jhulanyatra of this family is pretty old. The condition of the house is not good though there is no shortage as far as the tradition of this festival is concerned. The festival is celebrated here for five days and on each day there is a specific dress (besh) – Rakhal besh on the first day; Jogi besh on the second day; Subal besh on the third day; Kotal besh on the fourth day and Raj besh on the last day.
Balai Das’ Thakurbari of 3, Crouch Lane, Calcutta is also very old. The temple was founded by Atar Mani Dasi in 1915. Though the temple is just over a century old but the Jhulan festival started even earlier. Apart from Radha Krishna, there is an idol of Lord Jagannath. The idols of Radha Krishna are beautifully decorated during the five days of the festival. Like the Jhualan Bari of Ramkanai Adhikary, classical music programme is also held here. According to family sources, great personalities in the field of music have performed here. A unique thing about this house is several very old paintings depicting the life of Lord Krishna are hanging from the wall. Apart from Jhulan, the other festivals which are celebrated here are Janmastami, Radhastami, Annakut, Jagaddhatri Puja and Rashyatra.
Srimanta Villa popularly known as Chand Surya Bari of 63, Dhiren Dhar Sarani, Bowbazar, Calcutta was founded by Srimanta Pandit. Chandan Pandit, the nephew of Srimanta Pandit started Jhulanyatra of Lakshmi Janardan Jiu about 89 years ago. According to a family member Chandan Pandit had a love for clay dolls. His childhood desire got shape and he began the famous Jhulanyatra, where there is a provision to witness the rising of sun and moon by a machine prepared by Chandan Pandit himself. The unique thing is that, the same machine is still being used till date. No electrician is called for the purpose. The Pandits are actually residents of Khirpai of Midnapore. Lakshmi Janardan Jiu is the family deity of the Pandits. The sila is normally worshipped in a thakurghar upstairs. Only during the days of Jhulan it is taken out from there and placed in a mandap at the ground floor. One striking feature is that there is no besh in each of the five days of the festival. The beautiful use of light depicting the rise of both sun and moon has earned the title Chand Surya Bari. On both the sides you will see the clay dolls prepared by the world-class artisans of Ghurni of Krishnanagar, Nadia district. The artisans used to come here and prepare the clay idols in the baithakkhana of the house. The idols beautifully portray the life of Lord Krishna.
Radharaman Dhar Thakurbari of Calcutta is another place where Jhulan festival is held with pomp and granduer. The festival is being celebrated from 1887 onwards. On each and every day of the five-day festival, Lord Krishna is decorated in a separate besh. The idols are placed on a beautiful and glittering throne.
Das Bari of Bowbazar area of Calcutta is another house where Jhulanyatra is celebrated. Here one will see the eight sakhis along with decoration by clay dolls and play items. The decoration is superb and on the top Radha Krishna idols are placed.
Radha Gobinda Jiu Sree Mandir of Manicktala is celebrating the Jhulan for 92 years as far as the stone plate of the temple suggests. This Jhulan Bari is close to Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja pandal. A fair on account of Jhulanyatra is also held here and it is a unique thing to witness. The fair is attended by people of all age groups. Once you enter, you will find beautifully decorated Radha Krishna and Salgram Sila. During the days of the festival, this temple attracts a lot of visitors from surrounding areas.