Watch: Over 37K Women Perform 'Historic' Maha Raas In Gujarat's Dwarka

Over 37,000 women from the Ahir community performed a historic 'Maha Raas', dancing in circles around a Lord Krishna idol in a two-day function in Gujarat's Dwarka. The women dressed in traditional red attire formed concentric circles to dance in sync, offering a mesmerising visual treat. The Raas, a dance performed in devotion to Lord Krishna, was organised on a large scale from December 23 to 24, to pay an ode to Usha, the daughter of Banasur and granddaughter-in-law of lord Krishna, according to Hindu mythology.

The event was organised by Akhil Bharatiya Yadav Samaj and Ahirani Mahila Mandal in Dwarka, which is said to be the place where Lord Krishna resided after defeating Kansa. Watch the splendid performance by the Ahiranis (Ahir women) here.

#WATCH | Gujarat: 37000 women from the Ahir community performed Maha Raas in Dwarka pic.twitter.com/Ta19lRhhiR

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

Maha Raas In Dwarka

The Maha Raas which created history was organised at a large campus of ACC Cement company, known as the Nanddham campus. According to reports, the performers were gifted a copy of the holy text Bhagwat Gita after the performance. The people from the Ahir community awaited to take the prasad (offering) from the devotional event.

Over two lakh people from the Ahir community gathered at the 800 Bigha campus to watch the Ahiranis perform the cultural feat and indulge in the divine atmosphere. The Ahirs are traditionally part of pastoralist communities in India, most of whom identify as being part of the Yadav community, as the two are said to be the same.

Raas By Usha

In Hindu mythology, Usha is said to be the daughter of Banasur, a king and devotee of Lord Krishna. She is known as the wife of Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna, whose love story finds itself beautifully described in the Bhagawat Purana. It is said that Usha saw Aniruddha in her dreams, without knowing who he was.

She sought help from her friend Chitralekha, an adept artist and the daughter of Minister Shambharasura, to draw a portrait of Aniruddha from description and identify him. It is said that she used her magical powers to transport Aniruddha from Dwaraka to Usha's palace, where they met and fell deeply in love. The love story is noted as a power of love transcending boundaries and differences, even in the realm of mythology.