Biju, the major and vibrant festival of Chakma community, officially began with the traditional "Phul Biju"in Khagrachari.
As the dawn broke on Sunday, the Chengi and Maini rivers of Khagrachari and the surrounding canals were filled with a festive atmosphere.
City's Khabangpuria and Riverview Point areas were filled with people of different ages and they gathered in groups on the banks of the river since early morning.
They offer flowers to the Goddess Ganga.
Phul Biju is a symbol of welcoming the new year by forgetting the sorrows of the old year. On this day, people pray for peace, prosperity and happiness.
Locals who came to offer flowers in the river, said that they came to the riverbank our family and friends to offer flowers to Goddess Ganga and wanted peace to return to the world. Hundreds of people gathered on the banks of the river to watch and participate in the ceremony. Various political and administrative figures were also present at the time.
Tomorrow, the Chakma people will celebrate their main festival, Biju. And on the day of Bengali New Year, ‘Gajjapajja’ the formal beginning of the new year will be celebrated.
Not only the Chakmas, but also other ethnic groups in the hilly tracks are preparing for the New Year.
The Tripura community will begin its three-day 'Boisu' festival tomorrow, starting from Chaitra Sankranti.
On the day of 'Hariboisu', there will be flower worship in the river and children will participate in the floating of Rinai-Risa. Their traditional 'Garya dance' is one of the attractions of the festival.
The Marma community will celebrate the 'Sangrai' festival. The three-day event, starting from April 14, will include Buddha Puja, bathing of elders with holy water, cultural programs and the most interesting 'Re-Akaja' or water festival, where everyone shares joy by sprinkling water on each other.
These festivals in the hilly tracks are not only a time of joy, but also a unique blend of harmony, tradition, and culture. People from different communities, cherishing their own culture, spread the message of mutual harmony and coexistence.
Around the New Year, the hills are now filled with festive colors, songs, dances, and people's gatherings, where everyone's minds are filled with dreams of the New Year.
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