Prabarana Purnima, the second-largest Buddhist religious festival, will be celebrated at 179 Buddhist monasteries across Cox’s Bazar district on October 25, with major traditional boat-floating festivities scheduled in Ramu and other areas over the next two days.
Religious rituals will be held at the monasteries, while lanterns will be released into the sky where conditions permit. Traditional boat-floating festivals are also planned in Ramu, Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar Sadar and other locations.
According to the district administration, the boat-floating festival will be held at 2:00 pm on October 26 in a canal beside Harbang Chhara Rakhine Para in Chakaria and in the Bankkhali River near Fakira Bazar in Ramu.
Another event is scheduled for 2:00 pm on October 27 at Kobita Chattar Point in Cox’s Bazar town. A boat-floating festival is also planned on the same day in the Choufoldandi canal.
According to the district administration, Cox’s Bazar Sadar has 31 Buddhist monasteries, Ramu 34, Chakaria 23, Pekua one, Moheshkhali 12, Ukhiya 60 and Teknaf 17, bringing the district total to 179.
The boat-floating festival on the Bankkhali River in Ramu draws considerable enthusiasm every year, with people from different villages taking part.
Participants build colourful boats featuring figures of different animals and other designs using bamboo, cane, wood and other materials before setting them afloat on the river.
Arpan Barua, chief coordinator of the Ramu Central Prabarana and Boat-Floating Festival Celebration Council, said this year’s festival would take place at the Fakira Bazar point of the Bankkhali River on October 26.
“Boats from seven villages in Ramu will be launched. This year, boats will be made with figures of lions, pagodas, and other designs. As in previous years, we want to hold the festival in a disciplined manner while maintaining its religious solemnity,” he said.
He added that the culture minister was expected to attend the festival as the chief guest.
According to the district police, security would be enhanced to uphold law and order during the festivities.
Debdut Majumder, additional superintendent of police (traffic) and media focal point of Cox’s Bazar district police, said arrangements would be made in coordination with the district administration.
“Like Eid, Durga Puja and other festivals, this celebration will also receive equal importance in ensuring security,” he said.
The district administration has directed the deployment of enough police personnel at festival venues. It has also stressed the need to deploy divers, publicise the control-room telephone numbers of relevant agencies, and ensure that people entering the water can swim.
Authorities have also been asked to take necessary measures, including keeping the bamboo market in Ramu closed during the festival on the Bankkhali River.
Buddhist monasteries will observe religious rituals from morning until evening on Prabarana Purnima. The Buddhist community in Cox’s Bazar is preparing for the religious celebration and traditional boat-floating festivities.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Cox’s Bazar Life Photo
