Khagrachhari, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Apr 14 (V7N) – The spirit of the Baisabi festival continues to infuse joy throughout Khagrachhari district, with the Marma community now celebrating their traditional Sangrai festival. The festivities, which began on Monday, April 14th, the third day of the broader Baisabi celebrations, have painted Khagrachhari city in vibrant colors, highlighted by a colorful Sangrai procession and the much-anticipated water festival.

"The Marma community is celebrating the Sangrai festival in Khagrachari through a Sangrai procession and water festival. The Marma community is reveling in the colorful festivities... The traditional Sangraing festival of the Marma community began on Monday (April 14), the third day of the festival. The city of Khagrachhari district has become colorful with the Sangraing festival of the Marma community. One of the attractions of this festival was the colorful Sangraing rally and water festival of the Marma community," reported Biplob Talukder, Khagrachhari.

The Sangrai festival commenced in the morning with the traditional worship of the Kyong Phul at Buddhist monasteries, a significant religious observance for the Marma community. The vibrant celebrations have also attracted a large number of tourists to Khagrachhari, eager to witness the unique cultural traditions. Organizers express hope that the festival will further solidify the bonds of peace and harmony within the hills.

"The Sangrai festival began in the morning with the worship of the Kyong Phul at Buddhist monasteries. A large number of tourists have come to Khagrachari to enjoy the Sangrai festival. The organizers hope that the festival will further strengthen the bond of peace and harmony in the hills," Talukder noted.

The formal inauguration of the Marma community's New Year's Eve festival, Sangrai, aimed at bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, was held on Monday morning at Battala, Pankhaiyapara, in the district headquarters. The event was graced by the presence of Brigadier General Sharif Md. Aman Hasan, the Army's Khagrachari Region Commander.

"On Monday (April 14) morning, the traditional Sangraing festival of the Marmads was inaugurated by the Army's Khagrachhari Region Commander, Brigadier General Sharif Md. Aman Hasan, at Battala, Pankhaiyapara, district headquarters," the report confirmed.

The festivities kicked off with a Mangal Shobhajatra (auspicious procession) organized by the Marma Unnayan Sangsad (Marma Development Council). Marma artists showcased their traditional dances and songs, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Believing that the waters of the Sangrai Maitree (friendship water festival) will wash away past sorrows, members of the Marma community enthusiastically participated in water games. This was followed by a colorful rally, with thousands of young people in traditional attire parading through the main streets of the city.

"The festival of the Marma community began with a Mangal Shobhajatra from the Marma Unnayan Sangsad. Marma artists performed their traditional dances and songs. The Marmas, believing that the sorrows of the past will be washed away in the waters of the Sangrai Maitree, indulged in water games. Then a colorful rally began. The rally of thousands of young people in colorful costumes circled the main roads of the city. During this time, young men and women participate in water games, wishing for unwavering happiness and peace in the days ahead. The young people of Marma are intoxicated during the festival," Talukder detailed.

Brigadier General Sharif Md. Aman Hasan, Commander of the Army's Khagrachhari Region, expressed his hope that the Baisabi festival, encompassing the Sangrai celebrations, will contribute to ensuring peaceful coexistence in the hills.

"Brigadier General Sharif Md. Aman Hasan, Commander of the Army's Khagrachhari Region, hopes that coexistence in the hills will be ensured through the Baisabi festival," the report highlighted.

A central attraction of the Sangrai festival is the traditional water festival, or Jalotsav, where young people playfully throw water at each other. The Marma community believes that this water ritual will cleanse away all the sorrows and sins of the past, ushering in a fresh start for the new year. Additionally, young Marma men and women sometimes engage in playful water sprinkling as a way to express interest in potential life partners. The Sangrai festival also includes various sports competitions, a cake festival showcasing traditional Marma delicacies, traditional Marma dance performances, and open-air concerts, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.

"During this time, the Marma community's traditional water festival, or Jalotsav, is celebrated by young people throwing water at each other. The Marma community believes that this water festival will wash away all the sorrows and sins of the past. Along with this, young people will choose their life partner by sprinkling water on each other. In addition, various sports, a cake festival, traditional Marma dances, and open concerts are organized on the occasion of the festival," Talukder explained.

While Baisabi was historically a festival primarily for the hill people, it has now evolved into a more universal and national celebration in Bangladesh. Public representatives and community members alike express their hope that this vibrant festival will further strengthen communal harmony within the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

"Although Baisabi was once a festival for the hill people, it has now become a universal and national festival. It is the hope of everyone, including public representatives, that communal harmony in the hills will be further strengthened through this festival," the report concluded.

END/BTK/RH/