Varanasi: Bharat Milap –the episode of Ramcharitmanas and part of the 473-year-old Ramlila started by Tulsidas’contemporary Megha Bhagat in 1546, was enacted at the historic ground of Nati Imli on Wednesday amid an emotionally charged atmosphere.
People gathered in a large number to watch the reunion of Lord Rama with his brothers after his 14-year-old exile and victory over the demon king Ravana. This episode is enacted on the next day of Vijaya Dashami. The royalties of Banaras also take part in this celebration. Legends say that Megha Bhagat enacted this episode after being told in a dream. He staged the scene at Nati Imli on the next day of Vijaya Dashami, and collapsed in the climax.
The gazetteer of Banaras also mentions Nati Imli Bharat Milap. The then British administrator, Jems Princep in his book ‘Benares Illustrated’ writes, “The concluding ceremony of Ram Lila is Bhaurut Melao (Bharat Milap). On the afternoon of the day, following the destruction of Rawan, depicted in the last place another spectacle occurs of an equally or even more interesting nature. It is entitled the Bhaurut Melao or meeting with Bhaurut upon the return of his victorious Ram and Luchman with Sita to the capital of their kingdom Ayodhya (Oudh)”.
