Bera Utsav- A Crackling Affair in Murshidabad

As the swollen waters of the legendary Bhagirathi flow past in its serpentine path, they water and irrigate the lands gifting it fertility in plenty. This river was probably one of the main reasons why settlers came here, developing what eventually came to be known as the city of Murshidabad. It is this beautiful historic city that hosts the wonderful Bera Utsav, and is a huge draw for tourists to the city. 

A traditional dance at the Bera Utsav. Photo Credit: Akash Mondal / flickr

A Fiery Celebration

The Bera Utsav takes place at Lal Bagh on the banks of the Bhagirathi river near the magnificent Murshidabad Palace, the erstwhile abode of the Nawabs. The highlights of the festivities include a host of traditional songs and dances, and a splendid fireworks display. A local fair is also organised during this time with fun rides, people dressed in their traditional finery and plenty of local food. This is also a great opportunity to visit West Bengal and experience its rich history and culture.

History of Murshidabad

A historic city, which became the capital of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan in the early 18^th century when he moved here from Dacca (now Dhaka in Bangladesh); this is also probably where the city gets its name from. It eventually became the seat of several other successive Nawabs of Bengal and prospered under their reign. It was also in the 18^th century, 1757 to be precise, that the famous Battle of Plassey was fought here, which brought with it the colonial era in India.

The historical city of Murshidabad. Photo Credit: Sarfarazit08 / wikimedia

Things to do in Murshidabad

As a place of historic interest, a visit to Murshidabad can prove to be a wonderful holiday for anyone who enjoys history. Strewn with palaces, colonial buildings and beautiful monuments, it is currently not on the tourist map and one can enjoy a relatively quiet and peaceful holiday admiring the city’s many wonders. These include Berhampore, the headquarters of the Murshidabad district and several other interesting places such as Krishna College, the Berhampore Central Jail, Lal Dighi, Kisnapur Kalibari, and of course the banks of the Bhagirathi. Other places of interest include Lal Bagh, which is part of Murshidabad town and home to the breathtaking Nizamat Qila or the Hazarduari Palace (Palace of a Thousand Doors). It was built by the British engineer Duncan McLeod in Italian style. Also worth visiting are the Moti Jheel or Pearl Lake close to the palace, the Khushbagh cemetery, Nizamat Imambara, and Katra Mosque.

While here, it is also a good idea to see what else the state of West Bengal has to offer besides the capital Kolkata of course. Visitors can make several weekend trips around Kolkata; they could also head to the cool climes of Darjeeling and Siliguri or to the Sunderbans for a more adventurous trip among the mangroves.

If you’re keen to take a tour of this historic city, make your bookings today!