Rashchakra

The Ras Chakra (Wheel) during the Ras Mela in Madan Mohan Bari, Cooch Behar

The Raashchakra or The holy wheel is a structure built during the Raashmela that is held in honour of Lord Krishna or Madanmohan in Cooch Behar, India. From the time of the Maharajas, the Raash Chakra in Cooch Behar is made by a Muslim family of ghughumari area every year. This year, 2019, the CHAKRA has been built b=y Altab Mian. The fair is held just 100m from the Madanmohan Temple.

A symbol of secular mood in the district. This Raash-Chakra (a 30-40 ft tall and 15-20 ft width semi-cylindrical like structure made out of paper and bamboo/posts) symbolises brotherhood irrespective of the religious diversity. It quite resembles the Dharma Chakra of the Buddhists and thus it unifies the Sanatana Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims in a sigle chord of harmony. This Raash-Chakra is beautifully decorated with paper floral designs and different pictures of Sri Krishna are pasted all over. It rotates on a pivotal mast. Devotees rotate this Raash-Chakra to attain bliss and happiness.

Raash Mela Festival

The Raash Mela is perhaps the grandest of all festivals which are celebrated all throughout the year in Cooch Behar. The fair that is held centered round this festival is conducted with such grandeur to hold enough significance. It attracts large crowds of people not only from all over the district of Cooch Behar, but also from neighboring districts including adjacent state of Assam and Tripura. According to local history in 1812 AD Maharaja Harenda Narayan entered his palace on the auspicious day of Raash Purnima. The celebration began from that year. Later, in 1889 Maharaja Nripendra Narayan expanded the festival with a grand fair. After the end of Koch Dynasty, the functions of the Maharaja are performed at Raash Mela by the District Magistrate, Cooch Behar who is also the President of Debottar Trust Board. The District Magistrate, Cooch Behar offers Pujo to Madanmohan and rotates the Rashchakra, which marks the beginning of the Raash Mela Festival and fair. In 2019, the District Magistrate, Cooch Behar Shri Pawan Kadyan, IAS performed these duties as per tradition like all his predecessors. The fair is held beside Madan Mohan Temple near Bairagi Dighi area. During the fair the entire area of Sagadighi, Bairagidighi, Rifle Club Road, Maharaja Biswasingha Road, Madanmohan Mandir etc are congested with devotees and visitors. The fair is an ideal place of unification of local folk art and crafts. People thronge at the stalls of such items. The handicrafts items made of bamboo, wood, stone, metal are high on demand. So many cultural programes are organised during the 15 days long fair too. This Raash Mela has developed a tradition of its own. It holds a separate identity to the people of Cooch Behar for their uniqueness and indigenous clarity.