Rash Purnima 2026: when and where

Date and Purnima tithi

Kolkata times are IST, Dhaka times BST.

The 2026 dates of the Cooch Behar Rash Mela had not been posted on the district website as of 31 October.

Nabadwip's Shakta Rash

In Nabadwip, Rash means Shakta Rash: enormous clay idols of Shakti, such as Durga, Kali and Lakshmi. Huge as they are, they are light; a 19th-century writer noted that five or six people can carry one on their shoulders. The festival ends with the immersion procession called Arong. (Source: Wikipedia, Shakta Rash)

It grew out of the Vaishnava Rash Yatra of Chaitanya's time. Shaktas first worshipped painted scrolls, so Raas Purnima was known as 'Pot Purnima'; clay idols came later, when potters settled in Nabadwip under Maharaja Krishnachandra's patronage. (Source: Wikipedia, Shakta Rash)

Shantipur's Rash

Shantipur's Rash is mainly Vaishnava: devotional songs, music and processions showing scenes from Krishna's life. In the 'Rai Raja' procession a young girl, dressed in regal attire, represents Radha. (Source: Incredible India, Santipur and Nabadwip Raas Utsav)

The Cooch Behar Rash Mela

In Cooch Behar the main worship is at the Madan Mohan temple, home of the Rash Chakra, with kirtan and jatra at night. The fair usually lasts 15 to 20 days. It is widely held to have begun under the 17th king of Koch Bihar; since 1912 it has been held at the Rash Mela Ground. (Source: Wikipedia, Cooch Behar Rash Mela)

Getting there

Nabadwip Dham station is on the Bandel–Katwa line, about 103 km from Howrah. (Source: Wikipedia, Nabadwip Dham railway station)

Shantipur Junction is on the Ranaghat–Shantipur line (Sealdah division). (Source: Wikipedia, Shantipur Junction railway station)

• Arong and the procession nights are very crowded; with children or elders, visit a day earlier.
• Check the time of the last train back before you set out.

Questions

When is Rash Purnima in 2026?

Tuesday 24 November 2026 (Kartika Purnima, Drik Panchang).

What are the dates of the Nabadwip Rash Utsav 2026?

24 to 27 November 2026, as listed by Incredible India.

When is the Purnima tithi for Rash 2026?

Kolkata: 23 Nov 11:42 pm to 24 Nov 8:23 pm. Dhaka: 24 Nov 12:12 am to 8:53 pm.

What is Shakta Rash?

Nabadwip's form of Rash, where giant clay idols of Shakti (Durga, Kali, Lakshmi) are worshipped.

How do I get to Nabadwip from Kolkata?

Take a Katwa-bound local from Howrah to Nabadwip Dham, about 103 km.