Majuli, India’s best district island positioned amidst the Brahmaputra river in Assam and the land of Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries), is preparing for one amongst its most celebrated annual events, the Raas Mahotsav, which might be held from November 15 to 17. This pageant, which is centred throughout the divine lifetime of Lord Krishna, has been celebrated for over 150 years, making it a deeply rooted customized throughout 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, suggested ANI, “As soon as we hear the word “Raas,” we routinely visualise Lord Krishna dancing with the Gopis. The Raas originated in Goloka and later got here to Vrindavan. Later, via the play “Keli Gopal,” Mahapurush Srimanta Shankar Deva launched the Raas into the Neo-Vaishnavite faith. Dakhinpat Satra`s tenth Satradhikar, Vasudev Prabhu, included a play depicting the lifetime of Lord Krishna from his delivery to the demise of Arishtasura. This custom has continued, and we have now now reached 185 years.”
He knowledgeable that the play is split 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 subsequent night, accompanied by simultaneous rituals.”
On the third day, Indra Abhishek is carried out 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 quite a few mythological figures are one among many primary choices 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 customized of mask-making in Majuli has developed to moreover embody industrial features, allowing these artists to help their craft previous the pageant.
Mask artist Padmashree Hemachandra Goshwami suggested 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 further talked about that in Raas, the whole thing 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 security measures
Majuli`s Raas Mahotsav is anticipated to attract roughly 50,000 house and worldwide vacationers, with the district administration preparing for a substantial improve in company that may virtually double the island`s regular inhabitants of 200,000. In response, security measures have been heightened, with additional forces being deployed from exterior Majuli to verify the safety and clear flow into of the pageant actions.
Deputy Commissioner, Majuli Ratul Chandra Pathak educated, “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 talked about that full security measures have been organized all through all primary entry components, along with Nimati Ghat, Kamala Bari Ghat and Afalamukh Ghat, which can be key locations 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 crucial mid river delta system on the planet. The nearest airport and railway station are at Jorhat. One can take a ferry from there to realize the island. Majuli is the abode of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite custom 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 lots of others.
(With inputs from ANI)
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