Candle lighting, lantern festival at Buddhist monastery in Kalapara

Prabarana festival in kalapara. 30-10-2023

Patuakhali: The Rakhine villages of Patuakhali's Kalapara are in a festive mood on the occasion of Prabarana Purnima. Devotees lit 1,000 candles in memory of Gautama Buddha at Srimangal Buddhist Bihar in Kuakata on Sunday night. Later, Pravarna Purnima festival was celebrated by flying colorful lanterns in the field adjacent to the Bihar. Meanwhile, Rakhine young men and women danced with music. Tourists and locals flock to see this festival of Prabarna Purnima.

Earlier in the morning, Panchashil, Ashtashil prayers, bell ringing and religious discussions were held. Besides, the Buddhists gave various fruits and pithapuli to the Buddhist monks. A festive atmosphere prevails in 24 Rakhine villages of the upazila. Every temple has been illuminated. Security has been beefed up in the villages to avoid untoward incidents.

According to Buddhists, Gautama Buddha started preaching on this day. For this reason, this day is very significant for Buddhists. Besides, in memory of Gautama Buddha, the monsoon fast of Buddhist monks starts on Asari Purnima and ends on this Purnima of Kartik. Bahari Pitha, Puli, Payesh are prepared from house to house around this festival. Along with entertaining guests at home, Rakhines travel to Bihar in clean or new clothes on this day. Various religious rituals are performed simultaneously. But the Fanus festival has now become a universal festival. Local Rakhine sources said that the festival will end on Monday afternoon.

Tenan, a Rakhine youth from Gora Amkhola neighborhood, said Prabarana Purnima is the biggest religious festival of Buddhists. Around this festival, the mood of the festival prevails in the homes of every Rakhine village. Every year in Prabarana festival lanterns made of colorful paper and bahari designs are flown in the night sky. And people come from far and wide to see this lantern fly. He said that preparations have been made to fly the lanterns almost a month before.

Uttam Bhikkhu, a monk of Misripara Seema Buddha Bihar and a researcher at Gautam Buddha Library, said that this festival is to reject self-purification and evil and embrace truth and beauty. On the occasion of Prabarana Purnima, Buddhist Biharas first offer Panchasila, Ashtasila prayers, religious discussion with ringing of bells and donation of various cakes.

Kalapara UNO Md. Jahangir Hossain said that 500 kg of rice has been given to 24 Rakhine temples of the upazila to celebrate Prabarana festival. - Gofran Biswas Palash