Let us build a society based on spirituality and moral values: Sarbananda Sonowal

MAJULI RAAX FESTIVAL INAUGURATED

A CORRESPONDENT

JORHAT: “Majuli is a divine place and whoever comes to the river island during the Raax Festival receives blessings from Lord Krishna,” said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday while inaugurating the Majuli Raax Festival at Garamur Mini Stadium in Majuli.

He also stressed the need to build a society based on spirituality and moral values, and urged the people of the State to lead a life guided by the ideals of Lord Krishna.

This year, the Tourism Department of the Assam Government has promoted the Raax Festival of Majuli in a grand manner both at the national and the international levels through extensive campaigns on different media platforms like print, electronic and social media. The Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) has collaborated with popular social media site Instagram this year to reach out to more tourists within the country and abroad for Majuli Raax Festival.

Also, a website www.majuliraas.in of Majuli district administration was launched by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on October 30 via video conferencing from Dispur. The objective of the website is to project Majuli as an epicentre of xatra culture and a seat of mythological tourism globally by having all kinds of information on the festival. The Raax will be performed at 58 places across the island, including at venues outside xatras.

“Majuli’s natural beauty, legacy, cultural heritage and history must be preserved and the people of Majuli have an important role to play in this regard,” said Sonowal. “Great personalities had spread the light of their wisdom in the society through spirituality and the young generation must imbibe those moral lessons to find true happiness and contentment in life,” he added.

Referring to Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala terming Assam’s culture as ‘Krishna culture’, the Chief Minister said that the greater Assamese cultural identity was based on the image of Lord Krishna and his teachings. “If we can realize the true essence of God’s teachings, then we can take steps for preserving the earth,” Sonowal said.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated tented accommodations for tourists set up by Assam Tourism Development Corporation at the Raax Festival venue at Garamur. He also unveiled the map of 58 Raax Festival venues in Majuli. Along with it, he felicitated the representatives of 58 Raax Festival organizing committees of Majuli at the programme.

The ATDC has set up 100 tented accommodations at Garamur, Jengraimukh and Kamalabari in Majuli. During Monday’s programme, Garamur Xoru Xatra performed a colourful dance form of Maharaas. The dance recital depicted Lord Krishna’s Raax Leela with the gopinis of Vrindaban.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the 179th Raax Festival of Dakhinpat Xatra, which is the oldest Raax Festival organixed in Majuli. He also attended Raax Festival at Uttar Kamalabari Xatra, among others.

State Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, MP Pradan Baruah, MLA Bimal Bora, ATDC chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah, Vice-Chancellor of Majuli University of Culture, Dr. Dambarudhar Nath, Majuli Deputy Commissioner Bikram Kairi and other dignitaries were also present in the programme.

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