The Sangrai festival, one of the religious and cultural celebrations of the Marma community, has begun in Bandarban, welcoming the new year.
A vibrant procession was brought out from Rajar Math in the town on Monday morning. The procession paraded through the main streets before concluding at the institute premises.
Participants from various ethnic communities, dressed in traditional attire and carrying banners and festoons, joined the rally. Through dances and traditional Marma songs, they bid farewell to the outgoing year and welcomed the new year, creating a festive atmosphere across the district.
The festival was inaugurated by Sacing Prue Jerry, Member of Parliament, as the chief guest. Among others present were Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Taleb, Sangrai Festival Celebration Council President Cho Thuy Prue, General Secretary Thuy Mong Prue, Prince Chasing Prue Boni, along with government officials and leaders of ethnic communities.
Organizers said the week-long festival will include various programmes aimed at promoting harmony among communities.
Addressing the programme, the MP called on all to work together for the development of the hill districts, highlighting their rich cultural diversity and stressing the importance of maintaining harmony in Bandarban.
Following the procession, a puja was held at the Cultural Institute hall, where elders were honoured with gifts and traditional respect.
As part of the celebrations, the festival will feature the ritual bathing of a Buddha statue on the banks of the Sangu River on April 14, a traditional pitha festival in the evening, and Maitree water pouring along with cultural programmes at Rajar Math on April 15.