Sindurmati: The curiosity to know more accurate information about the myths, legends, and folktales surrounding an ancient historical Dighee (pond) known as 'Sindurmati' has been boundless among the people for centuries. The Hindus believe that bathing in the Dighee, located in Sindurmati Mouza on the border of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts, brings peace and wipes away all the sins committed in their lifetime. All these legends and myths are still alive in the minds of the people of the area, country, and neighboring India for centuries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the renovation of this legendary Dighee in 1975 by government initiative, many ancient coins and statues were found, which are currently preserved in the Bangladesh National Museum. Senior Hindu figures from the Sindurmati area, including Nibaran Chandra Barman, Ambika Charan Roy, Shree Subhash Chandra, Birendra Nath Roy, Bibhuti Bhushan, Narayan Chandra, and Narendra Nath, have narrated the myths, hearsays, and legends surrounding the Dighee, suggesting research to get a proper idea and more accurate information about this historical and religious site.
Legend has it that about 4,000 years ago, a Brahmin Zamindar (King), who came from Sri Lanka, dug this Dighee as per instructions received from God to have a son and provide pure drinking water for the subjects of his kingdom. The Dighee was dug deeper, but no water came out from its bottom. In another dream, the Zamindar was asked to worship at the bottom of the Dighee along with his two minor daughters Sindur and Mati for water. As per the divine instructions, the Zamindar took his two daughters, a black goat, a white goat, a black and a white chest, and many other materials required for worship to the bottom of the water body. Despite continuous worship, the water did not flow, leading the Zamindar to seek additional materials from his palace.
Upon his return, he found the Dighee filled to the brim with sweet drinking water, but his daughters had drowned. It was the holy day of 'Mohaassthami'. Since then, the Dighee and the village are known as Sindurmati, and the water body remains full in all seasons. The Zamindar and his wife Meneka Devi were deeply saddened by the loss of their daughters. In a dream, the Zamindar was consoled by God, who promised to fulfill his great deeds. A year later, on 'Mohaassthami', the Zamindar saw two fingers of his daughters floating in the water and communicated with them. They assured him they were well under God's care and predicted the birth of a brother.
Meneka Devi soon gave birth to a son, named 'Brahmadeva' as per divine instructions. The Zamindar and his wife shared their joy with their subjects. A year later, another dream led the Zamindar to the Brahmaputra River, where Brahmadeva drowned while bathing on 'Mohaassthami'. Despite his grief, the Zamindar continued to worship, and God revealed that the river would be named Brahmaputra after his son, remaining a holy site for mankind eternally. Every year on 'Mohaassthami', people would bathe in the Brahmaputra, followed by a bath in the Sindurmati Dighee on 'Mahanavami'.
Hindus across the subcontinent now celebrate 'Astami Snan' at the Brahmaputra and 'Navomir Snan' at the Sindurmati Dighee. On this occasion, the Sindurmati Fair is organized on the ninth 'Tithi' of Chaitra month, drawing numerous Hindu pilgrims from Bangladesh and India. People believe there is a secret underground tunnel between the Brahmaputra and the Dighee, keeping the pond full even in dry seasons.