APR 17 (V7N) - Rangamati is filled with joy as it washes away the sorrows of the old year and welcomes the new. The festive atmosphere still permeates the hills, and the traditional social festival of the Marma community, Sangrai, has made that atmosphere even more lively.

The day-long festival was organized by Marma Cultural Organization at Ching Hla Mong Chowdhury Mari Stadium on Friday morning. After the discussion meeting, the guests inaugurated the 'Shangrai Maitree Jal Utsab' by sprinkling water on each other.

The main attraction of the festival was the 'Shangrai Rilong Poe'. Standing in two rows, young people sprinkled water on each other, symbolically washing away the fatigue and sadness of the past year. This water festival, filled with joy and excitement, seemed to bring back the hill culture to life.

The Marma community believes that this holy water not only cleanses the body but also the mind. It is a symbol of good wishes and positivity for the new year. Therefore, Sangrai is not just a festival of joy, but also a festival of deep spiritual significance—where the bonds of harmony, peace and compassion are strengthened by forgetting the pain of the past.

The entire stadium area was filled with traditional songs and dances during the cultural performances throughout the day. Young woman Nabanita Marma, who participated in the festival, said, “We wait for this day all year. We wish each other well by sprinkling water.”

Tourists from different parts of the country flocked to Rangamati for this festival. Many participated in the water festival with the locals and captured the memorable moments on camera. Tourists Subhash Basna and his wife said, “I have never seen such a festival before. This culture of sharing joy among the hill people is truly fascinating.”

Organizing committee president Paichimong Marma said that Sangrai is not just a festival—it is a symbol of the Marma people's identity and unity. The main goal of this event is to showcase their heritage to the new generation.

Dipen Dewan and State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin were present as the chief guests at the event. They praised the diverse culture of the hills and emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony.

At the end of the day, this colorful water festival should convey only one message - just as dust is washed away by the touch of water, so too may all differences be erased from people's minds; may a non-communal, harmonious Bangladesh be built.

END/AMR/RH/