+ Follow
Image by Wikipedia

Introduction

India is a country known for its unity in diversity. The ethnic diversity of the people from different states is revealed through their diverse colours, languages, religions, customs, festivals, attire, and food habits. West Bengal, a prominent state in India, is a land of numerous festivals and fairs. That’s why the famous saying in Bengali states that “Baro Mase Tero Parbon,” which means that Bengal celebrates thirteen festivals in twelve months. But it doesn’t mean Bengal celebrates only thirteen festivals in a year; rather, it is a proverb that means Bengal conducts many festivals in a year. Also, a large number of people say that celebrating of Bengali New Year (Nabobarsha) is the festival of all Bengalis regardless of any religion, creed, and caste. But behind it, there is another festival which has been celebrated from era to era to still day. That is the Bera Utsab, which is a historical festival of the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, which was started by the Bengali Muslim ruler during the 17th century. It is among the list of such popular festivals that attract a large crowd in the state.

Bera Bhasan As A Festival

Murshidabad, a district of West Bengal, holds a unique place in the history and culture chronicles of India. It was the capital of Bengal during the Mughal period. It is renowned for its rich traditions, architectural marvels, and, above all, its harmonious coexistence of communities. Among its many cultural treasures, Bera Bhasan stands out as a historical festival that exemplifies the enduring spirit of Hindu-Muslim unity. But what is this festival, and how to celebrate it? Prior to knowing this, let's know the meaning of Bera Bhasan. It is a Bengali term. The Bera means raft, and Bhasan means sending out. So, it’s clear that Bera Bhasan means sending out the raft. That means, Bera Bhashan is a water ritual of rafts being set out to sea. In this festival, rafts made with palm, plantain, or banana leaves, or sometimes with paper, are sent out on the river to placate water spirits. It is conducted every year just after the monsoons on the last Thursday of the Bengali solar calendar’s month Bhadra, or August-September in Bengal, even today. The Bera Utsav mainly takes place at Lal Bagh on the banks of the Bhagirathi River near the magnificent Murshidabad Palace, the erstwhile abode of the Nawabs. Particularly, Bera is sent out from Imambara Ghat to Lalbag Court Ghat. After the Canon’s firing, its rope will be cut and start to flow slowly toward the south Bhagirathi. During the advent of this festival, there had been seven gold lamps (Pradeep) in the Bera. But now, one gold lamp and one silver lamp are lit in this. By the bamboo, four huge boats are dedicated to this Bhela. A hundred lamps are dedicated in a specific way, too. The highlights of the festivities include a host of traditional songs and dances, and a splendid fireworks display. A local fair is also organised during this time with fun rides, people dressed in their traditional finery, and plenty of local food. This is also a great opportunity to visit West Bengal and experience its rich history and culture. The splendid fireworks on the Bhagirathi embankment make the venue a picturesque vista that impresses the visitors no end. The festival is enjoyed by people of different age groups, religions, creeds, caste, and cultural backgrounds. It not only tells the tale of the city’s age-old splendour, but also marks the unity of its people and their love towards their cultural and traditional inheritance.

The Origin of Bera Bhasan

There is a different type of opinion on when it was first started. We have no dates as to its origin. Although most Scholars claim that it was started by Murshid Kuli Khan in 1704. Several scholars say that it was patronised by Mughal subahdars, but possibly started by ordinary people. In the seventeenth century, around Dhaka in what is now Bangladesh, it was transformed into a political pageant through the initiatives of the nawabi state of eighteenth-century Bengal at Murshidabad. Murshidabad lies today in West Bengal, India, but it was then the capital of Bengal subah, which comprised Bangladesh as well. Let us see the historical and geographical contours of medieval Bengal so as to set Bera Bhashan in its physical context. As far as we know from records dating from the latter half of the eighteenth century, the English East India Company officials continued the practice of Bera Bhashan in the lands under their control. More likely, they allowed the practice to continue rather than promoting Bera themselves. It has now returned to being a community festival in West Bengal and continues as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity in Murshidabad district in the state.

It was first started due to the subadars of Bengal having to send their tax to the Mughal emperors by the marry route. But during the voyage, they faced several water challenges. Prominently, the Bengal Nawabs were Shia Muslims. So, they believe that if they succeed in satisfying Data Khijir, who is a Peer (saint) of water, then they will not face any problem during their journey. After a few decades, the Nawab's rule was finished in Bengal, but the Bera Bhasan was going on. Gradually, it became a festival of Bengal. Although today there is no need to do this. Thus, it became a traditional and historical festival of Murshidabad in this modern world. Even, the people are celebrating it till today with full enjoyment and happiness regardless of any religion.

A Celebration of Unity

Historically, the Nawabs of Murshidabad, who were Muslims, extended their patronage to Hindu festivals, including the Holy. Their involvement in Bera Bhasan fostered a sense of shared celebration and mutual respect between Hindus and Muslims, creating a festival that transcends religious boundaries.

During the festival, Muslims contribute by helping organize the processions, decorating the boats, and ensuring the event's smooth execution. Similarly, Hindus participate in cultural events and programs that highlight the shared history of Murshidabad. This collective effort symbolizes the unity that has been the cornerstone of the region's ethos.

A Hindu-Islamic World

That water is an integral part of the Bengali landscape (and mindscape) is established. Fish, snakes, dolphins, tortoises, turtles, and lizards occupy an important space in its iconography. When Bengal was absorbed into the Mughal empire in 1575, Akbar gave the first subahdar of Bengal a silver standard with a fish on it as his emblem. This is still preserved in the Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad.

How far does water play a role in Islamic cultures, a culture born of the desert? Surprisingly, we come across practices similar to Bera bhashan from the Persianate world from very early times, and Arab merchants on the west coast of India followed a similar practice. In both these places, they evolved into community practices incorporating both Hindus and Muslims, because the sea belonged equally to everyone. It is therefore necessary to clarify how and why Bera bhashan is different from other practices of the appeasement of water spirits/sea monsters around the Indian Ocean. Sometimes these rituals were centred around a particular saint or guardian spirit. Khwaja Khizr, the patron saint of Muslims at sea, was worshipped all along the Indian Ocean rim. This belief in Khwaja Khizr, or the Prophet Elias, was supposedly introduced by Arab merchants in Bengal when they prayed for safe passage at sea before venturing out. This is what received history tells us.

Conclusion

In fact, the culture of the state is characterized by the colourful celebrations that adorn it throughout the year. Almost every district of West Bengal plays host to at least one popular fair or festival in the entire year. The celebrations not only tell the tale of their rich cultural heritage, but also improve their prospects as a tourist destination. Similarly, Bera Utsab is one of them. But the Bera Utsab is not only similar is the case with other festivals; rather, it is a traditional and historical festival that was started during the Nawabi rule in Bengal, which serves today as the venue of a popular festival of the Murshidabad district as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim Unity.

.    .    .

References:

Discus