After a four-year hiatus, Shantiniketan is all set to welcome back Poush Mela – GetBengal story
As the year comes to an end, Shantiniketan is all set to host one of its most cherished events, the Poush Mela 2024.This vibrant festival of Bengal will be held from December 24 to December 26, 2024, at Poush Mela Ground, Shantiniketan, West Bengal.
The origins of Poush Mela date back to 1894, when Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore, initiated this fair as a celebration of spirituality and harvest. But, over the decades, it has evolved into a grand cultural festival of Bengal. Held in the picturesque town of Shantiniketan, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Poush Mela has turned into an annual ritual, sort of a pilgrimage for many.
Poush Mela was stopped in 2020 due to the pandemic, and in 2021, Visva Bharati did not organize the fair, citing the pandemic. However, in 2021 and 2022, Bolpur municipality and the district administration organized an alternative Poush Mela at Dak Bungalow Ground.
The Mela will begin on December 24 with an inauguration ceremony, featuring traditional rituals, the music of the shehnai, and performances by the Vaitalik group. Worship at Chhatimtala marks the spiritual essence of the festival, followed by processions and cultural programme. The evening programme under the starry Shantiniketan sky are simply magical. Every corner of Poush Mela resonates with the sounds of Bengal. Live performances of Baul songs, kirtan, and folk dances captivate the audience. Students from Visva-Bharati University also present songs, dances, and plays, paying homage to Rabindranath Tagore’s artistic heritage.
The fair will feature 1,500 stalls, including terracotta artefacts, Madhubani and Patachitra paintings, handwoven textiles, Jewellery and accessories crafted by local artisans. Not only craft items, food is also an integral part of the Poush Mela, with sweets like Malpua, Sandesh, and Jalebi, along with delicious snacks, offering a delectable selection of traditional Bengali dishes.
As Rabindranath Tagore said, “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” Poush Mela embodies this philosophy—creating a harmonious blend of culture and community.
