Raas Utsab in Bishnupur
- Ranu Das
- Nov 11, 2025
- 2 min read
The Raas Utsab is celebrate love and union of Lord Krishna with his Gopis. In Bhagawat Purana it is expressed as “Raas lila”.This festival is celebrated every year in the month of November. Just like the Raas Yatra of Mayapur and Nabadwip, the Raas festival of Bishnupur is also very famous.
On the holy full moon day, the Raas Utsab starts in Bishnupur with more than sixty Radha and Krishna idols. But how did this famous festival begin? Long ago, the Malla kings of Bishnupur were deeply devoted to Lord Krishna. Out of their love and devotion, they built several magnificent temples to honor him and spread the spirit of Krishna worship throughout the region. Because of this strong devotion, Bishnupur is often called the “Hidden Vrindavan.”
In the year 1600, Malla King Bir Hambir built the famous Rasmancha — a grand terracotta architecture with 108 doors. In earlier times, the Raas Utsab was celebrated here with great pomp and devotion, and during the festival, 108 idols were placed inside the temple, one at each door. It is said that during one such Raas celebration, a terrible lightning strike damaged the top of the temple. Since then, the Rasmancha has stood only as a historical monument, and the celebration has been moved elsewhere.
In 1850, Queen Churamoni Devi established the Madangopal Temple at Madhabganj, where the Raas Utsab is still celebrated for five days. Seventeen pairs of Radha-Krishna idols from the royal family of Bishnupur are brought for the festival. Along with them, several Radha-Krishna idols from nearby places also arrive for the Raas Yatra. All the idols are beautifully decorated with special ornaments and clothes. Then, the Raas Yatra begins at the Madangopal Temple. For five days, special prayers and evening aarti are performed for each idol with deep devotion.
Not only in Madhabganj, but the Raas Utsab is also celebrated with equal grandeur in Krishnaganj. This celebration was started by Bishnupur’s municipal head, Shyam Mukhopadhyay. Here, thirteen pairs of Radha-Krishna idols are worshipped, including five pairs from the royal family of Bishnupur. Each idol is placed on a beautifully decorated stage, and the evening aarti begins at 10 p.m. marked by the sound of cannon fire.
Every day, offerings (bhog) and devotional music are arranged, and in the evening, a special “sheetal bhog” is made to the deities. Bishnupur Gateway also helps deliver this sacred bhog to devotees during the festival.
Besides Madhabganj and Krishnaganj, Bishnupur’s Bahadurganj area also celebrates the Raas Utsab with the Chowdhury family organizing the festival in a grand way that continues for five days.
In every place in Bishnupur where the Raas Utsab is celebrated, various cultural programs are held in the evening. People enjoy folk songs, dances, and devotional performances that make the atmosphere joyful and lively. You too can visit Bishnupur during this time and experience the beauty and joy of the Raas Yatra.
