Jaydev Kenduli

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Jaydev Kenduli
Village
Radhabinode temple
Radhabinode temple
Jaydev Kenduli is located in West Bengal
Jaydev Kenduli
Jaydev Kenduli
Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 23°38′N 87°26′E / 23.63°N 87.43°E / 23.63; 87.43Coordinates: 23°38′N 87°26′E / 23.63°N 87.43°E / 23.63; 87.43
Country India
StateDistrict
DistrictBirbhum district
Population
 (2011)
 • Total3,280
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Literacy82.87%
Lok Sabha constituencyBolpur (Lok Sabha constituency)
Vidhan Sabha constituencyBolpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
Websitebirbhum.co.in

Jaydev Kenduli is a village in the Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Geography[edit]

Jaydev Kenduli stands of the bank of the Ajay and is a gram panchayat in the Ilambazar (community development block) in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district.[1]

Jaydev Kenduli is 22 km from Durgapur. From Ilambazar, on the Panagarh–Morgram Highway, it is 2 km to the Jaydev Morh, and then 12 km to Jaydev Kenduli. It is 30 km from Bolpur.[2][3]

During the Jaydev Kenduli mela time buses run directly from Durgapur railway station to the mela. One can also take an auto for a 45-minute journey. Another option is to take a bus from Durgapur railway station for Bolpur, get down at Muchulipara and take a trekker or auto to the mela. The nearest railway stations are at Bolpur and Durgapur.[2]

Demographics[edit]

As per the cessus 2011, Jaydev Kenduli had a population of 3,280. It had a literacy rate of 82.87%.[4]

Controversy[edit]

Scholars opine that Jayadeva, the Sanskrit lyricist who composed the Gita Govinda, was born at Kenduli Sasan in Odisha.[5][6] However, in spite of what the learned scholars say, the people of West Bengal pay respect to the lyricist on Makar Sankranti day when a big fair is organized and people gather in thousands at Jaydev Kenduli. It is popular as Jaydev Mahotsav.[7]

The Temple[edit]

In 1883, the estate of Senpahari, in Jungle Mahals was transferred to Bardhan.[8]

The Maharani of Bardhaman Raj took the initiative to build the temple in 1683 at the request of then court-poet at Bardhaman, Jugal Kishore Mukhopadhyay, a resident of Jaydev Kenduli. The temple stands on birthplace of Jayadeva, who is believed to have been the court poet of Lakhsman Sen. He is believed to have composed the Gita Govinda in the 12th century. The nabaratna temple has exquisite terracotta carvings.[1] Radha Govinda and Radha Vinod deities are worshipped in this temple. According to local hearsay, Jayadeva used to travel a long distance every day to have a bath in the holy Ganges. Maa Ganga took the matter with compassion and assured him that she would go every day to his place, and he could have his bath there itself. During high tide, the waters of the Ganges flow back into its tributary the Ajay.[9] It is a centrally protected monument,[10]

The Fair[edit]

The Jaydev Kenduli Mela, an annual event, has been continuing for over five-six centuries, honouring Jaydeva. It is organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. It starts on the last day of the Bengali calendar month of Poush and goes on till the second day of Magh. It covers a large area, from the temple and extends for about 2 km.[1][2][11] The other famous fair of Birbhum, the Poush Mela is held for three days from the seventh day of Poush.[12]

The fair is an occasion for local people to buy whatever they need: cooking utensils, fishing nets, plastic items, ready-made clothes et al. An impressive variety of local handicrafts is a major attraction, particularly for the tourists. Giant merry-go-rounds and other play attractions are there. The food stalls draw people in large numbers. The entire area is lit up in the evening.[11] A day prior to the mela days bauls, kirtaniyas, sants and satgurus are cordially welcomed. On the first day of the fair, which happens to be the Makar Sankranti day, people in large numbers take a dip in the cold waters of the Ajay and the fair formally commences. The mela comes to an end on the fourth day. In 1982, the district government authorities took charge of the fair. Since then, there has been improvements in sanitation, drinking water lighting security etc.[11]

Thousands of people gather at Joydev Kenduli to savour a piece of life in rural India. It is a three-day non-stop affair.[3] The major attraction of the mela is the singing [[Baul|baul|. They entertain people throughout the night. It is ‘a unique blending of religion, music, songs, poetry, folk lore, and livelihood’. Many people refer to it as the baul mela. There are around 78 akharas in Jaydev Kenduli and many of them set-up pandals with stage, lights, and sound system.[1] Bauls are a comparatively small group of mystic minstrels, who earn a livelihood by singing with the ektara, exert a substantial influence on the culture of Bengal.[3]

Quite a few years back, The Statesman wrote, ‘The mela which is popularly known as the greatest baul mela in the state is gradually losing its character. This is because the bauls have been cornered as kirtan has gained more popularity here.’[13] Now kirtanias dominate a majority of the akharas.[11]

Accomodation[edit]

There is no hotel in Jaydev Kenduli. Ashram accommodation is sometimes available but it is spartan. Villagers rent out rooms, mostly during the mela time.[3]

Jaydev Kenduli picture gallery[edit]

Terracotta carvings in the temple

  • Narasimha Avatrar in a terracotta carving

    Narasimha Avatrar in a terracotta carving

  • Temple wall

    Temple wall

  • Terracotta panel

    Terracotta panel

  • Part of a terracotta pillar

    Part of a terracotta pillar

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Jaydev Kenduli Baul Mela". Indrajit Bandyopadhyay. Boloji. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Joydev Kenduli Baul Mela Birbhum 2023". Ruma Dey Baidya, July 5, 2023. The Holiday Story. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Kenduli Mela: The Life And Times Of A Baul". india,com. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Joydev Kenduli Population - Birbhum, West Bengal". Population census. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Scholars provide new twist to Jayadev birth controversy". United News of India (UNI). Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Biography of Jaydeava". Bharatadesam. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Kendubilla". Temples in Birbhum. Hindu Books Universe. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  8. ↑ O’Malley, L.S.S., ICS, Bankura, Bengal District Gazetteers, pp. 21-41, 1995 reprint, Government of West Bengal
  9. ↑ "Jayadeva Gowami - Biography, Life and Teachings, Sripat Kenduli, near Shantiniketan". Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "List of Centrally Protected Monuments / Sites under the jurisdiction of West Bengal (Kolkata Circle and Raiganj Circle)" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Kenduli Mela 2023 - Jan 14 2023 (Saturday)". Festivals of India. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "Poush Mela". West Bengal Tourism. Archived from the original on 22 February 2001. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "Lost tunes of bauls". The Statesman. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
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