Majuli, India’s greatest district island located amidst the Brahmaputra river in Assam and the land of Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries), is making ready for one in all its most celebrated annual occasions, the Raas Mahotsav, which can be held from November 15 to 17. This pageant, which is centred across the divine lifetime of Lord Krishna, has been celebrated for over 150 years, making it a deeply rooted custom within the cultural heritage of Assam.
About Raas in Majuli
This 12 months, the historic Dakhinpat Satra will mark 185 years of celebrating Raas. Nani Gopal Deba Goshwami, Satradhikar, Dakhinpat Satra, advised ANI, “As soon as we hear the word “Raas,” we automatically visualise Lord Krishna dancing with the Gopis. The Raas originated in Goloka and later came to Vrindavan. Later, through the play “Keli Gopal,” Mahapurush Srimanta Shankar Deva introduced the Raas into the Neo-Vaishnavite religion. Dakhinpat Satra`s 10th Satradhikar, Vasudev Prabhu, included a play depicting the life of Lord Krishna from his birth to the death of Arishtasura. This tradition has continued, and we have now reached 185 years.”
He informed that the play is divided into three chapters. “It begins with Sri Krishna`s start, then exhibits Krishna in Vrindavan, and at last depicts Krishna`s Leela with the Gopis, ending with the loss of life of Arishtasura. The efficiency takes 10 hours to finish. Raas Puja is central to Dakhinpat Satra. We take Mahaprabhu out on a “Dola” and place him in an imaginary Vrindavan. The drama is carried out the next evening, accompanied by simultaneous rituals.”
On the third day, Indra Abhishek is performed with dance, with performers characterised as apsaras. “The actors are from our Vaishnavite monasteries, and Vaishnavite monks additionally take part within the play. We conduct this Puja with the utmost purity and devotion, anticipating greater than 10,000 individuals to attend. Not a single phrase of our drama has modified; it’s carried out precisely because it was 185 years in the past. However, there have been some exterior adjustments, akin to electrical lights now changing menthol lamps.”
Local practices
Locally created masks representing numerous mythological figures are one of many main options of the pageant. Samuguri Satra`s famed masks artists, who craft detailed masks for Raas performances, are laborious at work, bringing to life characters from the epic tales. The custom of mask-making in Majuli has developed to additionally embody industrial functions, permitting these artists to assist their craft past the pageant.
Mask artist Padmashree Hemachandra Goshwami advised ANI, “Raas is a very important festival in Majuli. Masks play a significant role in Raas, bringing characters like King Kansa, demon courtiers, Asuras, animals, and other demon characters to life in the Raas Leela performances. Certain characters, like Aghashoor, Bokashoor, Dhenukashoor, and Kalia Naag, cannot be portrayed with a human face, making these masks essential to the festival. We expect a large number of visitors this year.”
He additional mentioned that in Raas, the whole lot is carried out from singing to dancing. “Raas has two main parts: one depicting Lord Krishna in Vrindavan and the other focusing on Lord Krishna with the Gopis. Masks are crucial for both parts, and our schedule has become very busy as the festival approaches. The masks worn for demon and rakshasa characters are priced around 3,500 rupees, while masks for animals or birds, like Bokashoor and Aghashoor, are more expensive, ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 rupees. There are two main types of masks used: face masks and beak masks,” he added.
Tourism and safety measures
Majuli`s Raas Mahotsav is anticipated to draw roughly 50,000 home and worldwide vacationers, with the district administration making ready for a considerable enhance in guests that can practically double the island`s normal inhabitants of 200,000. In response, safety measures have been heightened, with further forces being deployed from exterior Majuli to make sure the protection and clean circulate of the pageant actions.
Deputy Commissioner, Majuli Ratul Chandra Pathak knowledgeable, “We are making thorough preparations for the upcoming Raas Festival, which will take place on November 15th, 16th, and 17th. Every year, we welcome a large number of tourists, both foreign and domestic, and this year we expect around 50,000 visitors from outside. This time, Raas and Paal Nam will coincide, adding to the festival`s significance.”
He mentioned that complete safety measures have been organized throughout all main entry factors, together with Nimati Ghat, Kamala Bari Ghat and Afalamukh Ghat, that are key places for vacationer arrivals.
“Within Majuli, we are also putting in place all necessary arrangements, especially for toilets and other facilities, to ensure a comfortable experience for visitors. A total of 65 Satras are preparing for Raas this year in Majuli. With Majuli`s population of around 200,000, each of the 65 Raas centres will have approximately 300 to 400 people actively participating in the festivities. Additionally, security forces from outside Majuli are being deployed to support local arrangements and ensure safety throughout the event,” he added.
About Majuli
The river island of Majuli, positioned roughly 2.5 km away from mainland Assam, constitutes the most important mid river delta system on the planet. The nearest airport and railway station are at Jorhat. One can take a ferry from there to achieve the island. Majuli is the abode of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite tradition and residential to many tribes and well-known cultural festivals like Raas Mahotsav, Falgu Utsav, Porag Utsav, Paal Naam pageant, Ali Ai Ligang pageant, and many others.
(With inputs from ANI)
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