Assam: Lakhimee Adora Utsav celebrated across Dhemaji district

LAKHIMPUR: Following the Bathou religious tradition, the Bodo community people celebrated the ‘Lakhimee Adora Utsav’ and Kati Bihu on Thursday across the Dhemaji district, including Jonai subdivision. Notably, the people following the Bathou religious tradition have been celebrating the festival on the first day of the Indian month of Kartik instead of the Sankranti of the months of Ashwin and Katik since time immemorial.

The agenda of the programme organized on this occasion at Bordondi Bathou Mandir under the auspices of Undivided Lakhimpur district Committee of Bathou Mahasabha, in association with Madhya Jonai regional unit of the organization and the villagers of Bordondi, began with hoisting of Dharma Dwajja by Bilambar Kherkatary, the vice-president of the Bathou Mahasabha, Undivided Lakhimpur District Committee. Hamangsri Daimary, president of Bathou Mahasabha Mahila Samiti, conducted the smriti tarpan event. Then the traditional Lakhimee Adora Utsav was observed. It was followed by Bathou prayer. From 11.30 am, a Dharmalosana Sabha was held under the chairmanship of Bilambar Kherkatari

Lalit Chandra Boro, adviser of the Undivided Lakhimpur District Committee of Bathou Mahasabha, attended the meeting as a resource person and he delivered lecture on the ‘Importance of Kati Bihu and Lakhimee Adara Utsav in Bathou religion’. He said, “Religious traditions and beliefs play a pivotal role with regard to well maintenance of a family and the society. In this regard, the correctness of one’s own traditions and customs is essential.”

On the other hand, Kalpana Swargiary, a lecturer at Simen Chapri Senior Secondary School, delivered her lecture on ‘The responsibility of parents in shaping upcoming generation with strong conduct through Bathou religion and in providing quality education to them’. She said that parents should always pay attention to shaping their children as good citizens.

The meeting was attended by Boro Sahitya Sabha Madhya Jonai Committee president Bishnu Daimari, general secretary Kalicharan Gayari, ABSU Madhya Jonai regional committee president Mintu Boro, and many other Batho religious leaders. In the meeting, the families of Sushil Basumatary, Rabiram Boro, Amulya Alchiari, Chahen Basumatary, Teparam Khaklari, Gadadhar Gayari, who were the founders of the Madhya Jonai regional committee of the Batho Mahasabha, were feted. In the evening, ‘Lakhimee’ was distributed among 56 villages under Madhya Jonai regional committee.

On the other hand, the Baokhungri regional committee of the Bathou Mahasabha organized a two-day-long event to celebrate Kati Bihu and Lakhimee Adora Utsav at Shilikhaguri Bathou Mandir from Wednesday. The agenda of the first day of the programme began with performance of Bathou Aroz (Batho prayer) at 6 pm. It was followed by a series of competitions on Bathou Aroz, Kham, Serja and Chifung. On the second day, girls, led by religious priests, welcomed Lakhimee from River Donat at 10.00 am. The Dharma Dhwajja was hoisted by Ratneswar Basumatary, the president of Baokhungri regional committee of Bathou Mahasabha. Afterwards, vice-president Bhanu Basumatari paid floral tribute in memory of the deceased. Then a religious event organized by offering Bathou prayer was inaugurated by Chittaranjan Basumatari, the former vice-president of AASU. Attending the event as chief guest, United Bodo People’s Organization (UBPO) president Manuranjan Basumatari said that the tradition of welcoming Lakhimee on the first day of Kati and its relevance in social life has always been there. He further said, “There is a special significance regarding the relation between Kati Bihu and the farming activities of the farmers. Our duty is to maintain the originality of the festival. Adherence to the religious ideology, drenched with scientific temperament, purifies the individuals and enhances their spiritual health. Bathou is not only a religion but the systematic bond of harmony among the Bodo people and the legacy of the national identity of the community,” Manoranjan Basumatary said.

In the programme, Kanika Musahari delivered a lecture on the significance of Lakhimee Adara Utsav, Tarani Basumatary delivered a lecture on the role of youth in spreading Bathou ideology, Baileng Goyari delivered a lecture on Holy Tuesday and theoretical aspects of Bathou prayer.

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