Bathou festival concludes, call to preserve Bathou religion

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 4: The silver jubilee celebration and Bathou festival of Murara Bathou Thanshali, Khwirabari in Udalguri district concluded on Wednesday with Bathou prayers, discussion and traditiol dance. The Bathou festival witnessed hundreds of devotees and followers coming from different parts of the region on the occasion.

On the first day of the celebration, the ‘Bathou Hebi’ (erection of Bathou) and ‘Sijou Boraii’ (ceremonial reception of religious cactus tree) was performed followed by the presentation of kherai by Hagramari Ferenga Dhwrwmari Afad and plantation of saplings. The open pandal was iugurated by Kamleswar Basumatary, president of Septi kul GP.

A newly constructed ‘Bathou Sibishali’ was formally iugurated by the president of All Bodo Artistes’ Association (ABAA), Bikash Basumatary (Laloo) in presence of local dignitaries and guests.

Speaking to a section of reporters on the sideline of the function, Basumatary dwelt on the importance of preserving the Bathou religion and its thoughts and philosophy. He said the Bathou was the first identity of the Bodos after its mother tongue. Considering the continuous conversion of Bodos to other religions, he said the time had come to preserve the philosophy of Bathouism which united the Bodos.

He hailed the Bodo people of West Bengal and Nepal who have still embraced Bathouism. He also called upon the Bodos, especially the coming generation to follow and work for preservation and spreading philosophical message to the world.