Raax Mohotsav turns Assam into ‘second Brindabon’

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: “Sarat kalor ratri ati bitupan. Raxo krida korite Srikrishnor bhoila mon…”

Assam literally turned into the second Brindabon on the Raax Purnima (Sharadiyo Purnima) day, when the people across the state were celebrating the Raax Mohotsav, and the religious fervour through the chanting of Lord Krishna was all pervading. The devotees celebrate the Raax Lila in diverse forms – while the people in the upper Assam perform various deeds of Lord and Braja Gopis, those from lower Assam depict the deeds of Lord Krishna through clay idols.

The Xatra Nagari, Majuli, has been witnessing the chanting of Lord Krishna reverberating everywhere, with gaggles of foreign and domestic tourists flocking in since this morning. The devotees of Majuli and other people from the state also crowded the Xatras in the River Island. Raax Festival is underway in over 60 pandals, besides the Raax Lila with the Xatriya-flavour in the Xatras in the district.

Keeping alive its 350-year-old tradition of celebrating Srikrishna’s Raax Festival, Uttar Kamalabari Satra has once again organized a three-day Raax that began today. The Xatra hoisted as many as 350 flags, coinciding with the 350 years of its establishment this morning. Gayon-bayon (singers, drummers and other instrumentalists) accompanied the flag-hoisting ceremony.

People were standing in beeline in front of the Xatra by the evening to witness a drama based on Srimanta Sankardev’s work ‘Keligopal’. The play depicts the activities of Lord Krishna from childhood to adolescence.

Speaking to the media, Xatradhikar Janardan Dev Goswami of Uttar Kamalabari Xatra said, “This Xatra has been holding the Srikrishna Raax since its inception. We are holding the 350th Sri Krishna Raax this year. We hope to take the Xatriya culture forward for the coming generations.”

Several other Xatras, like Auniati Satra, Bengenati Satra, Garmur Satra, Narasingha Satra, Garmur Soru Satra, etc., of Majuli have also started Srikrishna Raax. A few Xatras of the Island will start Srikrishna Raax from tomorrow. The organizers of Majuli hold Srikrishna Raax for three to five days at a stretch.

Nalbari in Lower Assam also started its 90th Raax Mohotsav with a 13-day programme at Hari Mandir. The Nalbari Raax mainly depicts the deeds of Srikrishna with clay idols. Various stalls at the Mohotsav display idols on themes based on Krishna Lila. Shankaracharya Swami Sri Adhokshjanand Dev Tirth Ji Maharaj of Govardhan Peeth inaugurated the Nalbari Raax Festival today in the presence of Nitish Bharadwaj, who had played the role of Lord Krishna in the popular DD serial ‚Mahabharat’, as the chief guest. Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, President of Nalbari Hari Madir, was also present during the inaugural ceremony.

Howli in the Barpeta district also started its 96th Raax Mohotsav with a 15-day programme. The day started with the hoisting of the religious flags by Deka Xatradhikar of Sundaridiya Xatra in the district. Mising Sahitya Sabha President Hari Narayan Pegu inaugurated the Raax Festival in the evening.

Palasbari, Mirza and a few other areas in Lower Assam will start their Raax Mohotsav tomorrow. Nagarbera in the Kamrup district has been holding the festival since yesterday. In Guwahati, Japorigog, Sonapur and other areas holding the Raax Festival.

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