Rathayatra at Amadpur

Amadpur is a quaint little village which is located in the Memari block of Purba Bardhaman district in West Bengal. The village is famous for its Rathayatra which is organized by the Chaudhuri family and attracts a large number of people from far and wide, including Calcutta.

The family deity of the Chaudhuri family is Radha Madhav who is worshipped in an old aatchala temple near the Chaudhuri baari. Earlier, a thirteen pinnacled (tero chura) rath was used during the Ratayatra, however, the present chariot is being used since 2001 onwards. The chariot is beautifully decorated and is a spectacle to behold.

The idols of Radha Madhav are first worshipped. It was a beautiful ritual to watch when the idols are taken from their temple to be placed inside the chariot. The sound of the dhakis beating the dhaks, women blowing conch shells and shehnai players playing their shehnais adds a festive fervor to the ambience. Devotees and bystanders gather and eagerly await the arrival of the idols.

After the idols of Radha Madhav are placed inside the chariot, people who assemble get an opportunity to hold the rope of the chariot and tug at it to initiate its movement.

The Chaudhuri family also celebrates the Durga Puja in a grand way at Durga Bari which houses the nat mandir built in the year 1662. Additionally, the Chaudhuri family also celebrates Kali Puja, Kartick Puja, Rashyatra and Saraswati Puja with great pomp and splendor.

There is a ritual of collecting the mud which clings to the wheels of the chariot. This mud is used to begin making the frame for the Durga idol. At Durga Bari, a small puja is held in front of the kathamo (frame) of the Durga idol.

The added attraction is the fair (rather mela) held in the evening. The fair is mainly rural. People of different age groups crowd the area. One will not only find sweetmeat shops but shops selling day-to-day commodities at this rural fair.