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Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Bharat Milap is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Hinduism. This festival is celebrated on the next day of Vijayadashami. According to the description found in religious scriptures, on this day Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile and embraced His younger brother Bharat.
Therefore, this day is celebrated as the festival of Bharat Milap. Bharat Milap is mentioned in the Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. According to the description, Lord Hanuman conveyed the message of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya to Bharat. Thereafter, Lord Rama and Bharat reunited and embraced each other.
However, according to another account regarding Bharat Milap, Bharat was not present at the time when Lord Rama was leaving Ayodhya for his exile in the forest. Bharat was acquainted with the news of Lord Rama's exile only when he returned to Ayodhya. The news of Lord Rama's departure caused profound anguish to Bharat. Devastated by his mother Kaikeyi's decision, Bharat left to bring his brother Lord Rama back to Ayodhya from the forest. At that time, Lord Rama was residing in Parnakuti in the woods of Chitrakoot. Bharat earnestly pleaded with his elder brother Rama to ascend the throne of Ayodhya, but to fulfill the promise of his father King Dasharath, Rama declined Bharat's entreaties. In the end, Bharat took Lord Rama's sandals (Charan Paduka) and returned to Ayodhya and placed Rama's sandals on the throne.
Therefore, this union of Lord Rama and Bharat in Chitrakoot is also known as Bharat Milap. This Bharat Milap is also depicted in stage adaptations related to Rama's life. These stage adaptations related to Lord Rama are called Shri Rama Leela.
In Varanasi, the festival of Bharat Milap is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy at localities called Rama Nagar Kila and Nati Imli. Here, the festival of Bharat Milap is also known as Lakkha Mela.
According to beliefs, the festival of Bharat Milap was first celebrated in Varanasi in the year 1543. The festival was started by Medha Bhagat, a disciple of Goswami Tulsidas. Lord Rama appeared in the dream of his devotee Medha Bhagat which inspired him to celebrate the festival of Bharat Milap.
On this occasion, the King of Kashi takes a tour of the city in a grand procession seated on top of an elephant. After the procession, Bharat Milap Leela is staged in which a model of Pushpak Viman of Lord Rama is brought symbolically. This Pushpak Viman weighs 5000 kilograms which is carried on shoulders by people of Yadav community in a 4 kilometre long journey.
After the arrival of Lord Rama and his reunion with Bharat, firecrackers are burst and the ritual of Deepa Daan is performed at the holy Ghats of river Ganga. Bhandara, community feasts, are held in different localities of Varanasi, especially in the Nati Imli region of the city.
In the Kosi Kalan region of Mathura district, Bharat Milap fair is organised every year since the past 150 years. A huge number of devotees gather to attend the fair. The Bharat Milap fair held in Kosi is similar to the one held in Varanasi. The procession of Lord Rama seated in Pushpak Viman is carried out here too. Tableaux of Goddess Sita, Lakshman Ji and Lord Hanuman are also showcased in the procession.
After the arrival of Lord Rama, devotees carry Him on their shoulders towards His younger brother Bharat, who is also carried on shoulders by devotees towards Lord Rama. Thereafter, the two brothers meet in an emotional reunion.
