When I was a child, there was no TV at home and no live telecast of Rathyatra of Puri. We used to buy small wooden chariots from market, decorate them with colourful paper chains and marble paper (this part mostly done by maa) and install little clay idols of Jagannath-Balaram- Subhadra inside, before taking the raths out and pulling them through streets in the locality. Kids used to compete with each other over whose rath is looking more beautiful. This is still quite prevalent in Bengal, albeit on a much smaller scale as children are too busy nowadays.
The other major attraction was going to "rath-er mela" or fairs organized on the occasion. Today, an impromptu visit to Jagannath Mandir area in Hauz Khas brought back those memories. Hundreds of people attired in their festive best, standing in long queues with children who are having the time of their lives blowing "bhopu" in full gusto, toy and balloon sellers at every nook and corner, the usual rush for collecting prasad, eateries and ice-cream wallas doing brisk business and the general atmosphere of chaotic happiness that is traditionally associated with "rath-er mela". The only new element was the selfie-seekers. And yeah, a media gallery.
(July 2018)
The other major attraction was going to "rath-er mela" or fairs organized on the occasion. Today, an impromptu visit to Jagannath Mandir area in Hauz Khas brought back those memories. Hundreds of people attired in their festive best, standing in long queues with children who are having the time of their lives blowing "bhopu" in full gusto, toy and balloon sellers at every nook and corner, the usual rush for collecting prasad, eateries and ice-cream wallas doing brisk business and the general atmosphere of chaotic happiness that is traditionally associated with "rath-er mela". The only new element was the selfie-seekers. And yeah, a media gallery.
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