Sonitpur:
Raas Mahotsav was celebrated on Sunday in the Sonitpur District of Assam.
The holy festival of Raas Utsav which is also known as Raas Lila was celebrated at 'Basudev Than' Thekeraguri, Jamugurihat in Sonitpur District.
The Raas Utsav committee had organized the festival by
abiding Covid-19 protocol.
In 1957 the holy festival was celebrated at the
'Basudev Than' for the first time.
Every year they organize the festival for two days.
However, this year they cut it short and kept the celebration only for one day
in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Apart from Sonitpur, Majuli, and other parts of Assam
also grandly celebrated the festival.
Raas Utsav is an annual festival held on the day of the
Purnima (full moon) in the month of October-November in the autumn season.
First Raas Lila was performed at Dakhinpat Sattra in
1840 A.D. and it is continued since then with full rituals.
Ras Leela is the story of the life of Lord Krishna
which performed on the stage during the festival in an art form.
According to Shrimad Bhagwat Puran, Raas Lila means
Lord Sri Krishna's playful dance with his 'Sakhi' Radha and with the 'gopis'.
It is also considered lord Krishna's favorite thing
to do. The dance form tells the story of Krishna, Radha, and Gopis.
This festival especially has a great influence on the
life and culture of the people of Majuli. Although it is a part of the culture
of the Sattras, as it is a festival, many villages celebrate the festival.
However, this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the District administration of Majuli held a meeting with the Raas organizing committees and abiding Covid-19 protocol restricted senior citizens and children to take part in the Raas programs.
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