The revival of ‘Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav’ at Bansberia in West Bengal found a mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, in its 98th episode, on Sunday. Bansberia’s ‘Tribeni Kumbho Mohotshav’ received a section of his 32-minute Mann Ki Baat address.
The age-old festival, held on the banks of the Ganga, dates back thousands of years but was put on hold 700 years ago before being resurrected only two years ago. For centuries, Tribeni in West Bengal has been revered as a holy site. It is mentioned in various Mangalakavya, Vaishnava, Shakta, and other Bangla literary works.
“More than eight lakh devotees participated in it…But do you know why it is so special? It is special because this practice has been revived after 700 years. Although this tradition is thousands of years old, unfortunately, this festival, which used to take place in Bengal’s Tribeni, was stopped 700 years ago. It should have been started after independence, but it could not happen. Two years ago, the festival was started again by the locals through ‘Tribeni Kumbho Porichalona Shomiti’,” PM Modi said.
Shriman Kanchan Banerjee, who lives in the United States, drew his attention to West Bengal’s cultural heritage, he added. PM Modi congratulated everyone involved in preserving this tradition and safeguarding India’s cultural heritage.
“Various historical documents suggest that this region was once a centre of Sanskrit, education and Indian culture. Many saints consider it a holy place for Kumbh Snan on Magh Sankranti. In Tribeni, you will find many Ganga Ghats, Shiva temples and ancient buildings decorated with terracotta architecture. Kumbh Mela was organized here last year to restore the cultural heritage of Tribeni and revive the glory of Kumbh tradition.”
Seven centuries later, the three-day Kumbh Mahasnan and fair have infused the region with new energy. The three-day Kumbh Mahasnan and fair, he said, have infused new energy into the region seven centuries later. Every day for three days, a large number of people attended the Ganga Aarti, Rudrabhishek, and Yajna.
Various ashrams, mutths and akhadas were also included in the festival this time. Various genres associated with Bengali traditions, such as Kirtan, Baul, Godiyo Nritto, Sree-Khol, Poter Gaan, and Chou-Nach, became popular at the festival.
“This is a very commendable effort to connect our youth to the country’s golden past. There are many other such practices in India, which need to be revived. I hope that the discussion about them will definitely inspire people in this direction,” PM Modi said further in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme.
