Bandarban:A series of celebratory programs has kicked off in Bandarban to mark the Maha Wagyoai Poye or Prabarana Purnima, a significant religious festival for the Buddhist community.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the celebrations include a variety of religious activities, a handball tournament, a marathon race, the Mangal Rath Yatra (chariot procession), the flying of sky lanterns (fanush), and a pitha-making festival.
The announcement of the events was made at a press conference held at the Bandarban Press Club by Chonu Mong Marma, the president of the festival celebration committee. He stated that religious and social events would be conducted throughout Bandarban from October 21 to 27, aiming to make the festival lively and to promote communal harmony.
Chonu Mong Marma further detailed that the handball tournament was inaugurated on Wednesday, October 21, marking the official start of the Prabarana Purnima celebrations, with the tournament finals scheduled for October 24. A marathon race will take place from Kamalong to the Old Rajbari ground on October 25 in the early morning.
The Mangal Rath Yatra is set to commence from the Old Rajbari premises on October 26. The chariot procession will travel through the main roads of the town and conclude at Ujanipara Ghat, where the chariot will be consigned to the Sangu River, thereby concluding the day's program.
On the final day of the festival, October 27, auspicious lamps (mangal pradip) will be lit, and sky lanterns will be flown in honor of Chulamani Jadi at the Rajguru Buddhist Vihar premises. Additionally, a ward-based pitha-making festival will take place on the same day, involving participation from different wards.