Rash Festival of Mitra Bari, Beleghata

Rashyatra, a three-day festival is held in many households and temples both in and outside Kolkata. It is held in Kartick purnima normally in the month of November. But there is another rashyatra or rash festival popularly known as Chaitra Rash or Baldev’s Rashyatra which is very rare in Kolkata. One such place where it is held in a grand way is Mitra Bari of 143, 146 (main residence of Raja Pitambar Mitra) & 147 Raja Rajendralal Mitra Road, Beleghata, Kolkata – 700010, a Grade – I heritage under Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

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St. Olav’s Church, Serampore

Serampore, now a sub-divisional town, located about 20 kilometers from Kolkata was formally a Danish settlement from 1755 to 1845. This 90 year Danish rule in Fredericksnagore or Serampore had a number of glorious achievements of which the construction of St. Olav’s Church under the Governorship of Col. Ole Bie (1776-1805) deserves mention. Ole Bie’s twenty nine years as Governor was the longest sitting head of Serampore’s Danish Government. The Denmark Tavern (1786) was also opened during Bie’s Governorship. The Tavern, though set up at Serampore was surprisingly not opened by any Danish but by a British innkeeper named James Patt, who had prior experience at The London Tavern.

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Radhabinod Temple, Joydev Kenduli, Birbhum

The district of Birbhum has a number of terracotta temples of which Radhabinod Temple at Joydev Kenduli in Ilambazar block deserves special mention. This brick-built nabaratna temple houses the idols of Radhabinod and Radhika and has excellent terracotta works on its facade.

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Durga Puja of Sen Bari, Guptipara

Guptipara in Hooghly district of West Bengal is famous for Rathayatra, first barowari puja, terracotta temples and sweets (gupo sandesh). That apart Durga Puja is also held here. Durga Puja of Sen Bari is not only famous but very old. The puja was started way back in 1580 by Shri Ram Sen.

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