HT Digital
Bilasipara, Nov 07 : Like every other region of Assam, western Assam’s Bilasipara is also celebrating the traditional Sri Sri Krishna Ras Mahotsav with an 18-day-long program.
Significantly, on the occasion of Ras Purnima, a temporary Sri Sri Krishna Ras Temple has been beautifully constructed at the playground of Indra Narayan Academy Higher Secondary School and the adjacent public field. Here, devotees perform the Ras Puja of Lord Sri Krishna with great devotion and spiritual fervor.
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According to the schedule released by the Ras Mahotsav Celebration Committee, on the evening of November 4 at 8 PM, Banamali Das conducted Bhagavat Path (recitation of the Bhagavata Purana) along with the Ras Puja. Later, Raghunath Poddar performed Ras Kirtan, filling the devotees’ hearts with divine devotion. On November 5, Nam Kirtan was performed and floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
On the evening of November 6, at 6 PM, the main gate of the fair was inaugurated along with several other programs, officially marking the beginning of the 18-day-long Ras Festival. Tributes were also paid to the late beloved artist Zubeen Garg.
According to the festival’s President Ashok Das and Secretary Sanjay Sharma, on November 7 evening, a cultural program will be held in memory of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Padma Shri Pratima Barua Pandey, the queen of Goalpariya folk songs, featuring performances by local artists.
On November 8 at 6 PM, a music competition and “Voice of Bilasipara” will take place. On November 9, a drawing competition will be held at 10 AM followed by a beauty pageant based on traditional attire at 6 PM.
On November 10, at 8 PM, a social drama will be performed by an invited troupe from Kolkata. On November 11, a Krishna Dress Competition will take place at 3 PM, followed by a dance competition at 6 PM. On November 12, a quiz contest titled Kon Banega Das Hajarpati (Who Will Become the Ten-Thousandaire) will be held at 6 PM.
On November 13, from 6 PM, there will be a reunion program of former presidents and secretaries, followed by a prize distribution ceremony at 7 PM and a cultural night.
From November 15 to 17, the Binapani Theatre Group will stage plays as part of a three-day schedule. On November 18, the birth anniversary of late artist Zubeen Garg will be observed, accompanied by Nagara Naam by invited devotional music groups. On November 19 at 6 PM, invited artists from Kolkata will perform Baul songs.
On November 20 at 3:30 PM, the Bilasipara Sub-Divisional Education Office will organize a debate competition among students from class 8 to 12. In the evening, from 6 PM onward, teachers of Bilasipara will present music, dance, and drama performances.
On the concluding day, November 22, a special cultural evening titled Sharotor Eti Sandhya (An Autumn Evening) will be organized in memory of the late artist Zubeen Garg.
It is noteworthy that this year, the Ras Leela of Lord Sri Krishna will be presented with modern technology through artistic clay idols, aiming to spiritually enchant the devotees, as stated by the celebration committee.
The traditional Sri Sri Krishna Ras Mahotsav of Bilasipara witnesses ever-growing participation from devotees of all castes, communities, and faiths — turning the Rasthali into a sacred pilgrimage site of grand social and spiritual unity.
