HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, April 11: Preparations have so far been completed to hold the 9th Baokhungri Festival which will begin on April 12 with three-days of colourful programme scheduled at Harinaguri, 10 km east of Kokrajhar town along the Baokhungri Hill in Kokrajhar district.
Necessary arrangements and deployments as well decorations have been made at the festival venue. The venue has been decorated with beautiful designs besides stalls for indigenous food are also installed in the festival.
A multi-community cultural demonstration has also been organised in the festival. The Baokhungri festival is the biggest festival in Bodoland Territorial Region which is organised by the Tourism department of Bodoland Territorial Region.
The festival is organised to mark the last day of Chaitra month (April 14) as the Bodos traditionally celebrate the festival as Baokhungri Hajw Gakhwnai (climbing of Baokhungri Hill).
The festival will start with a flag hoisting at 9 am in the morning followed by ceremonially flagging off the festival on Tuesday, followed by various programmes, apart from adventure sports like Khomlainai (Bodo wrestling), cock-fighting, traditional cuisine, Hill trekking, cycling competition, etc.
Cultural troupe and stalls from the region as well as neighbouring states have arrived in Kokrajhar to participate in the festival.
BTR CEM Pramod Boro will attend as chief guest on the inaugural day of the festival.
“People are expected to participate in huge numbers in the three-day festival programme where different events are to be organised,” said Dharma Narayan Das, BTC executive member.
He said that the Baokhungri festival is the biggest festival of Bodoland region, especially on the eve of Bwisagu where people from all walks of life participate with great enthusiasm.
“The Baokhungri itself has a history based on its beautiful scene sustaining a natural look. The festival is organised every year by the BTC Tourism department to explore the tourism of the region,” he said.