Thousands of visitors from across the country take part in 7th Baokhungri Festival in Kokrajhar

Our Correspondent

Kokrajhar: The 7th Baokhungri Festival, organized under the sponsorship of the BTC, entered the second day on Saturday. Thousands of visitors from across the country thronged the festival venue. The ethnic food festival, traditional game competitions, paragliding, cultural programmes, live cock fight and hill trekking competition added extra flavour to the festival.

The Baokhungri Festival is usually organized near the famous Baokhungri hill, 10 km southeast of Kokrajhar town. The venue is under Chakrasilla Wildlife Sanctuary, the home of the endangered golden langur. Besides, the sanctuary has different species of birds, reptiles and other endangered animals.

Thousands of people, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and age, climb the Baokhungri hill top on the last day of Chaitra, the Sankranti every year. As per history, Princess Diplai, the daughter of Daokha Raja, committed suicide after hearing the sad news of her beloved prince’s death. It is believed that one will get blessed if he or she climbs the hill top for three consecutive years.

The Principal Secretary of BTC, BC Phukan inaugurated the main venue of the festival on Friday while BTC IGP Anurag Agarwal hoisted the flag of Bodoland Indigenous Games Association (BIGA) and the Principal Secretary of BTC paid homage to BIGA founder, Chanakya Brahma. The Khomlainai competition was inaugurated by CHD, Sports and Youth Welfare, Jajnabati Basumatary while Additional Principal Secretary Jolly Das Brahma inaugurated the Gila competition.

Also read: Assam news