Matal Marma community rejoices in colorful arrangements on the hills, rains of Maitri rains.
To say goodbye to the old year and to welcome the new year, different communities of the hills are celebrating festivals under different names. As part of Marma community's 'Sangrai' festival, Maitri Paniborshana Utsav was organized at Pankhaiya Para of Khagrachari district today on Tuesday. To strengthen the bonds of friendship, the people of the Marma community get excited with water during the festival.
Going to Pankhaiya Para area this morning, Marma song is being played on the mic. People of all ages are dancing and singing along with it. Marma youths are divided into two groups and sprinkle water from one side to the other during Maitri Panivarshana festival.
Army Khagrachari Region Commander AKM Obaidul Haque inaugurated the festival in the morning. Earlier, on the occasion of New Year, the procession was inaugurated by lighting Mangal Pradeep on the same stage. Zilla Parishad Chairman Shefalika Tripura inaugurated the procession. President of Marma Development Council Mongpru Chowdhury presided over the event.
The procession started from Pankhaipara Marma Development Parliament ground and circled the various roads of Khagrachari and ended at the same place. Marma men and women participated in the procession wearing traditional clothes.
Marmaras celebrate 'Sangrai', Tripura community 'Baisuk', Chakmara 'Biju' celebrate New Year and New Year. Apart from this, Tanchangyas celebrate Vishu, Ahmias Bihu and Chak, Mro, Bom, Khumiras as Changkran.
In the festive atmosphere of Rangamati, various communities of the hills are celebrating the arrival and departure of the year. On the occasion of Bengali New Year, a procession was taken out from Rangamati Municipality premises at eight o'clock this morning on the initiative of Rangamati district administration. The procession ended at the district administration office. Later Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi inaugurated the folk fair by blowing balloons.
Today at nine o'clock in the morning, a special religious meeting was held on the occasion of Varshavaran in the grounds of Rajban Vihar in Rangamati. Prayers are offered in Bihar for happiness and prosperity in the new year. Vijay Giri Chakma, member of the executive council of Rajbanvihar, offered Panchsheel prayers on the occasion. At the end of the Panchasheel, the Maitri Bhavana and salvation sutras are heard. Later, on the occasion of the first Baisakh, Buddha Pratibimb Donation, Sanghadan, Ashta Clear Donation, Thousand Lamps Donation, Donation of money for Vishwashanti Pagoda was done.
Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs Minister Deepen Dewan said in the guest speech at the event, everyone should be united without differences. Bangladesh along with the hilly areas should be united and moved forward. Happiness and peace will return to the Chittagong Hill Tracts only through the preservation of religious harmony.
Source: Prothom Alo Bangla
