Sonitpur celebrated 68th Raas Mahotsav

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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