Md. Aman Ullah:
On the occasion of Probarana Purnima, the ‘Kalpa Jahaj Bhasa and Fanus Utsav’ is organized in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. This century-old festival has today become a gathering of souls. Where thousands of people participate regardless of religion or caste. Which has become a great example of communal harmony.The floating of peacocks in the Pekham Mela, the running of horses or elephants in the Pankhiraj, and the floating of lifeless Kalpa ships on the riverbed of Nagaraj Birdarpe become living works of art.Buddhists believe that on the occasion of Probarana Purnima, these symbolic ships are floated in honor of the Great Buddha. 7 ships made of beautiful craftsmanship are floated in the river. It takes about a month to make each ship.Sunil Barua said, our ancestors started this festival. It has been going on for hundreds of years. We want the new generation to also embrace this tradition. Pragyananda Mahather, Principal of Ramu Central Seema Bihar and President of Cox’s Bazar District Buddhist Protection Council, said, 200 years ago, Sangharaj Mrajombran organized the first ship-floating festival in a river in the Murhongha area of ​​Myanmar. From there, this festival was introduced in Ramu, Bangladesh. Except for Ramu, the ship-floating festival is not held anywhere in the country. Through this festival, followers of Buddhism pay homage to the great Buddha.The organizers said that it will be regularly held to maintain the tradition that has been going on for centuries. Mithun Barua Botham, convener of the Kalpa Jahaj Bhasa festival, said, “Every year, the Kalpa Jahaj Bhasa festival is held on the Bankkhali river on the day after Probarana. This will be organized on a larger scale in the coming days. This festival has been held from generation to generation. We want to spread the message of peace all over the world.”The ship-floating festival was inaugurated by AFM Khalid Hossain, advisor to the Ministry of Religion of the interim government, at around 5 pmon Tuesday. Special guests were Deputy Commissioner Md. Abdul Mannan, Superintendent of Police Md. Saifuddin Shaheen, and former member of parliament from Cox’s Bazar-3 (Sadar, Ramu and Eidgaon) constituency Lutfar Rahman Kajal . At this time, AFM Khalid Hossain, advisor to the Ministry of Religion of the interim government, said, “This country is a journey of people of all communities, regardless of religion, caste, and creed. Let us cherish tradition, harmony and amity. We will continue to cherish it in the future as well. However, we must be careful so that no evil group can destroy our harmony.”
AFM Khalid Hossain further said, not only the Buddhist community, but people of all religions and communities participate in this festival. Which becomes a great example of communal harmony. This festival is not only religious, but also a social gathering. It is a symbol of our tradition and harmony. History says that although the custom of floating the Kalpa ship started in Myanmar two hundred years ago, it has been going on in Ramu for hundreds of years. This event on Probarana Purnima seems to make the new generation search for its roots again and again. Regan Barua said, I brought my family. I come every year. It is the pride of our area. Not just a festival, but a feeling. Every year, through this event, old culture and beliefs are revived on the banks of the Bankkhali river in Ramu. By floating the Kalpa ship, people pay respect to Buddha and pray for a peaceful world. Although it is a religious festival, this event has become a gathering of all communities. A wonderful combination of tradition, culture and harmony is the ‘Kalpa Ship Floating Festival’.
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