Rongali Bihu message from Xatras "Pray indoors for win over COVID-19"

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: On the eve of the Rongali Bihu, the Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) and Barpeta Xatra have appealed to the people of the State to light earthen lamps in front of their in-house religious installations and pray to God for the wellbeing of the State, the country and the Xatras, instead of thronging any xatra.

Devotees thronging the xatras during Rongali Bihu, lighting earthen lamps and seeking blessings is an age-old practice in Assamese society. However, the people of the State will be giving this tradition a miss this year because of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Talking to The Sentinel, Burha Xatriya of Barpeta Xatra Basistha Dev Sarma said, “In Barpeta we’ve the tradition of conducting the Borxo gonona (annual astrological calculations) of the State every year in Bohag. However, this time around we’ve to give this age-old tradition a miss. We’ve hit a roadblock in the form of COVID-19 in going ahead with the borxo gonona.

“This apart, during Bohag people throng the xatras to pray and seek blessings. We appeal to them to light earthen oil lamps in front of their respective in-house installations and pray to God for the wellbeing of all by repelling the bad omens. Everyone should scrupulously follow the lockdown.

“Naam prasanga on Xaat Bohag (7th Bohag) in Barpeta is a tradition dating back to Mahapurush Madhabdev. The Assamese participate in the naam prasanga (congregational prayers) by taking a pledge in the Xatra. It’s sad to say that we can’t hold this naam prasanga this time around. Only three or four devotees who are confirmed bachelors (udaxin bhakats) will perform the bare minimum activities like lighting earthen lamps in Xatras etc. We hope to win over COVID-19 and resume our routine performances in Xatras.”

ASM general secretary Kusum Kumar Mahanta said, “We appeal to the people of the State to perform the Bihu as a token with just two or three persons. Nobody should visit xatras, nor should anybody throng naamghars during the lockdown. All should pray for the wellbeing of the mankind by staying indoors.”

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