Biswabrata Goswami
NABADWIP, 28 NOV: In the heart of Nabadwip, where the timeless Ganges whispers the tales of devotion, the night of Agrahayan Purnima (Full Moon) emerges as a celestial canvas painted with the hues of Vaishnavas’ fervent love for the divine. Here, in the sacred courtyard of Bhajankutir, a celestial haven, the very essence of existence transforms into the ethereal celebration of Rasa, an ode to the divine communion of Lord Krishna and His ardent devotees.
As the moonlight during the month of Agrahayan bathes the courtyard in its milky glow, a small canopy in one corner hosts twin idols of Radhakrishna, casting a spellbinding aura. The magical statues stand tall, silently witnessing the anticipation that permeates the air. The courtyard, adorned with Alpana, invites the divine into the earthly realm. In the embrace of moonlight Agrahayan’s fullmoon, Bhajankutir becomes a haven for transcendence.
A tulsi tree, standing sentinel in a corner, adds to the mystical charm. As the night deepens, the atmosphere becomes saturated with the scent of incense, perfume, and flowers. In the midst of this sacred setting, the stage is set for Rasotsava, the festival of devotional love.
For Vaishnavas, Rasa is more than a celebration; it is an intimate rendezvous with Purushottam Sri Krishna in the vast landscape of Vaishnava philosophy. Rasa, to them, is the festival of meeting the Lord with pure devotion, a night when Lord Krishna called the gopinis to the banks of Yamuna in Vrindavan for an enchanting dance of divine love.
In the quiet corner of Bhajankuthira, as Hemanta’s moonlight weaves through the darkness, an elderly devotee bows before the majestic idols, ready to evoke the divine through the melody of a flute. The serene evening becomes a vessel for the soul-stirring rag ‘Kedar,’ resonating far beyond the confines of the bhajan cottage towards the mighty Ganga.
Yet, the celebration of Rasa transcends the tranquil Bhajankutirs. In Nabadwip, the festival dons a different form—a Shakti-infused revelation. Shantiranjan Dev, a local historian, traces the roots of this unique manifestation to the reign of Nadiaraja Krishnachandra (1728-82). During his troubled early years, Krishnachandra found solace in the spiritual realm and, upon gaining strength, initiated a transformation.
Between 1753-56, Krishnachandra not only instigated the grand Jagaddhatri Puja but also orchestrated a shift in the traditional Vaishnava Rasa festival. A staunch Shakta himself, Krishnachandra aimed to propagate Shaktisadhana in his kingdom, skeptical of Chaitanya’s worship in monasteries and temples.
The turning point arrived on the night of Rasa Purnima when Krishnachandra declared a shift to clay idol worship, challenging the Vaishnava tradition. The announcement led to the birth of ‘Alane Kali,’ the inaugural Shaktaras idol, crafted by the eminent Sankarnath Tarkabagish. Soon, Shitikantha Bachaspati followed suit with the ‘Shabshiva’ statue.
Over two and a half centuries later, Nabadwip Rasa Utsav, nurtured by Krishnachandra’s royal grace, stands as a testament to enduring spirituality. The festival, once confined to Vaishnava temples, now extends its embrace to Barwari floors. The towering idols, an evolution from the modest clay figures, have become the focal point of the celebration.
As the night of Kartick Purnima (this time Agrahayan Purnima) approaches, Nabadwip resonates with the harmonious blend of devotion and tradition. The Rasa Utsav, a living legacy, continues to captivate hearts, carrying the whispers of centuries in every ritual, every note of the flute, and every flicker of the incandescent Jyotsna (moonlight). In the sacred dance of time, Nabadwip Rasa Utsav stands as an unparalleled symphony, an eternal celebration of divine love.
Tags: #Nabadwip #RasaUtsav #Vaishnava #RajaKrishnachandra
