Kolkata, 01 January (H.S.) : As every year, the traditional Kalpataru Festival is being observed across West Bengal with deep devotion and reverence on the first day of the New Year 2026. On this occasion, a large number of devotees gathered at institutions associated with the Ramakrishna Mission. A massive turnout was witnessed in particular at Udyanbati in Kashipur, the place where the great saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa breathed his last.

Apart from Kashipur Udyanbati, devotees thronged Belur Math, Ramakrishna Mission Golpark, Dakshineswar Kali Temple and several other monasteries and pilgrimage centres. Devotees from different parts of the country and abroad offered prayers, seeking spiritual fulfilment and the fulfilment of their wishes.

It is noteworthy that during the final days of his life, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was seriously ill and was staying at Udyanbati in Kashipur. On January 1, 1886, his disciples, including Girish Ghosh, Surendranath and Ramchandra Das, witnessed an extraordinary moment when the ailing saint came out of his room and approached them. Despite his fragile health, Sri Ramakrishna blessed his disciples by touching them.

Devotees believe that on that day, a divine radiance was visible on his face, dispelling all doubts among the disciples regarding his divine stature. Later, Sri Ramakrishna sat beneath a mango tree and bestowed his blessings upon all, wishing truth and spiritual illumination in their lives.

According to belief, the disciples experienced a vision of the divine in their Guru on that auspicious day, and their long-cherished spiritual aspirations were fulfilled. In remembrance of this sacred event, the tradition of observing the Kalpataru Festival began and has continued uninterrupted to this day.

Special programmes were organised at pilgrimage centres associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda and Holy Mother Sarada Devi across the state, including Kashipur, Belur Math and Dakshineswar. A large number of devotees participated in prayers and spiritual activities, marking the festival with devotion and solemnity.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh