This year’s Kalpa Jahaj Vasa Utshan (Symbolic Ship Festival) in Ramu took on a new dimension as local Buddhists expressed their solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Several beautifully crafted symbolic ships had banners reading “Free Free Palestine” attached to them during the centuries-old festival.
The festival has been celebrated for over two hundred years and takes place on Tuesday afternoon on the Bakkhali River to mark Probarona Purnima.
However, this year, the inclusion of messages supporting Palestine lent the event a powerful message of global compassion and peace.
One of the most notable ships, made by the Shrikool Kalpa Ship Committee, displayed a “Free Free Palestine” banner on the paper-made elephant at its bow.
The organizers said that Buddhism preaches non-violence, and their message aimed to draw global attention to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
Mithun Barua Botham, convener of the Kalpa Ship Festival Celebration Committee, said, “Through this festival, we want to send a message against global violence—especially the atrocities being committed in Palestine. We demand an end to this bloodshed.”
Earlier, during the Durga Puja immersion ceremony at Cox’s Bazar’s Laboni Point, Hindu devotees also held banners reading “Free Palestine.” Similarly, on Monday, during the Probarona Purnima lantern festival in Ramu, Buddhists released sky lanterns inscribed with the same message of solidarity.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
