Buddha Purnima celebrated

Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist people, was  celebrated with festive mood across the country on Wednesday. Different Buddhist organisations chalked out various programmes to celebrate the day. The day was public holiday. Bangladesh Bouddha Sangskritik Parishad brought out a rally from in front of the National Museum in the city around 8am. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh issued separate messages greeting the Buddhist community on the occasion. In Rangamati, the authorities of Buddhist temple and Parbtya Vikku Shangha in the district arranged several programmes on the occasion, our correspondent reported. The programmes included hoisting of Buddhist flags atop temples, distribution of food among monks, rally, special offerings, rendering of hymns, sangadan, donating Buddha statues, delivering religious speech. Parbatya Bhikku Shangha, Rangamati, brought out a colourful rally from Shanti Niketon Buddhist Bihar of Kawkhali upazila in the morning. Uttamanada Benuban Buddhist Bihar Principal Vodonta Azitanto Mahather led the rally while hundreds of men and women of Buddhist community including Buddha devotees participated  the rally. Among others, Uttara Vikku, principal of Chhoto Dalu Buddhist Bihar, Amar Shanti Karbari Babu, secretary of Kawkhali Poabara Boishakhi Purnima Inauguration Committee spoke the programme. In Khagrachhari, the day was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and sublime devotion. A colorful procession was brought out participated by 10,000 people in the town around 2.30pm. The Buddhist devotees offered various gift items including fruits, flowers and candles to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day. Tarek Mohammad Abdul Hannan, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station said security measures had been beefed up in the district for the day. Our Bandarban correspondent said a colourful procession was brought out from Rajbari field area in the town to celebrate the day. Hundred of devotees led by Ujanipara Rajguru Bihar committee participated the programme. On the other hand, another procession was brought out in the town participated by Bohmong Raj family members to celebrate the day. In Chittagong,  the day’s programmes heralded with hoisting of the national and religious flags atop of all monasteries in the dawn and chanting of the sacred verses from the Tripitaka. In the city, the colourful peace procession under the auspices of Bangladesh Buddhists Association was brought out city’s Nandankanan Buddhist temple. Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Shamsul Arefin inaugurated the procession by releasing balloons and pigeons. Buddha Purnima marks Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. It falls on the day of the full moon in May.