Khagrachari, Apr 12 (V7N) – As the first light of dawn touched the scenic Chengi River, the Chakma community gathered in Khabangparia to celebrate the vibrant and spiritual Flower Biju Festival — a unique ritual that marks both a farewell to the old year and a welcome to the new.

The festival began early Saturday morning at 6 AM, with community members offering flowers and lighting candles along the riverbank. Dressed in traditional pinon-kadi for women and dhotis for men, they came bearing blooms collected from forests, homes, and neighborhoods — a heartfelt tribute to nature and tradition.

The riverbank altar, adorned with banana leaves and vibrant flowers, became the focal point of prayers to Goddess Ganga, seeking to wash away the pain and suffering of the past year. The offering of flowers to the flowing river symbolized a collective hope that all sorrows, diseases, and misfortunes would be carried away, making room for peace, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.

Locals say the ritual is not only a spiritual cleansing but also a celebration of beauty and memory. “We pour flowers into the river so that we remember the good and forget the bad,” said one elder. Alongside the river rituals, homes are decorated with flowers, and lamps are lit in the evening, adding warmth and illumination to the festivities.

Children, too, actively participated in the celebrations, signifying the transmission of cultural values across generations. The Khagrachari District Police ensured a safe and secure environment, deploying adequate security and intelligence personnel for the smooth observance of the festival.

The Flower Biju marks the beginning of a three-day celebration for the Chakma community, with the main Biju festival to be celebrated tomorrow. Households will prepare traditional pajan dishes, and guests will be welcomed with festive hospitality.

The Biju festival, observed by several indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura peoples, embodies gratitude, purification, and hope — a timeless expression of harmony with nature and the human spirit.

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