OG-GROW-HAW-UN, NOVEMBER.
JUGGUR-DHARTREE AND RASH-JATRA.
The goddess Juggur-dhartree, in the present form, was unknown to
the Hindoos who died a few centuries ago. Her name has a fine
meaning,--“the nurse or upholder of the universe.” She is Doorga in a
different form, sitting on the back of a lion, who also rides on an
elephant, and tears it to pieces. The chief part of the worship is
similar to that of Doorga, in September, but covers only one day. The
sacrifices, feasts, and music are alike. There is, however, something
peculiar in the mode of killing the beasts for the sacrifice. It is
recommended that the victim should be pierced to death by spears, but I
never saw it done, anywhere.
In the night of the full moon comes the Rash-jatra. Its origin is as
follows. Krishto, the Hindoo god, had some young women for his friends,
whom he frequently used to meet in the groves. The sacred poetry of the
Brahmuns abound with the details of Krishto’s frolics with the women,
and the Rash-jatra is one of them. To commemorate these events, they
place the idols of Krishto and his female friends in an artificial
grove. The opulent Hindoos spend a large amount of money on this
occasion. In Calcutta, a rich family is widely known for the display
of statuary, pictures, and ornamental works, on the _Rash_. Every
American merchant engaged in the Calcutta trade knows that family, of
which Baboo Rajendro Narain Dutto is the head. The Rash continues three
successive nights, in which the image of Krishto and of his wife Radha
are exhibited with great magnificence.
The most celebrated Rash, however, is held in Khor-dah, a place on
the Ganges, nearly fourteen miles from Calcutta. But it is not so
expensive, so finished, so showy, as that of the Dutto family. They say
that the image in Khor-dah was carved out of a piece of marble having
miraculous power in it, which circumstance has spread the fame of the
idol far and wide. Splendid temples have been built for its abode, and
a fund adequate to defray the cost of the service has been invested for
its maintenance.
There are other celebrations in the name of Krishto, similar to the
Rash-jatra, one of which will be treated by and by.