Ratha Yatra of Rajbalhat is celebrated with much fervour. Though the ratha yatra of Rajbalhat is celebrated in the remote village arena, the people celebrate it with much dedication and devotion to Lord Jaggannath, Balarama and Shubhadra. The ratha yatra celebration in Rajbalhat is celebrated from the time of medieval era.
Rajbalhat is a village in Jangipara community development block of Srirampore subdivision in Hooghly District in West Bengal. Rajbalhat houses 16th century temple housing the idol of Rajballavi Devi, after whom Rajbalhat is named, can still be seen to this day but sadly the temple has been renovated several times and in the process wiping out centuries of history.
Apart from the temple of Rajballavi, Rajbalhat houses several terracotta temples and the most prominent among these is the Radhakanta Temple of Ghatakpara.
Radhakanta temple was built in 1700s. This temple stands on a square base, which is of approximately 20 feet length and rises to a height of about 50 feet. The front face of Radhakanta temple consists of elaborate terracotta architectural design. The aatchala temple has a triple arched entrance with the arch panels consisting of elaborate battle scenes of Ramayana. The base panels of Radhakanta temple mainly consist of images of ships and boats and of royal chariots and processions.
Radhakanta Temple of Ghatakpara is famous for its ratha yatra. Although not considered as one of the leading ratha yatras of West Bengal. The ratha yatra of Rajbalhat features a unique rath yatra. The rath does not carry the idols of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra but instead carries the idols of Radha -Krishna. The large towered chariot is not pulled by ropes but by iron chains.
The nine pinacalled ratha, once had brass pinnacles but sadly they have been stolen and are replaced by cheaper metal. The towering colourful ratha runs on twelve gigantic metal wheels and the ratha is pulled in a wild rampage through the slushy ground in front of the Rajbalhat High School. The distance between the main temple to the masher bari has largely been reduced after an accident in 2011, when one of the devote was crushed to death under the wheels of the ratha.
Ratha Yatra of Rajbalhat is organized by the Rajbalhat School committee and a huge fair is held in the school ground. The fair sells any thing from day to day items to home decor artefacts and last but not the least the huge variety of mouth watering food.