Guwahati: The sacred foothills of Baukhungri Hill near Harinaguri in Kokrajhar came alive today as the 12th edition of the Baukhungri Festival began its three-day run, orchestrated by the BTC Tourism Department. The air was thick with the vibrant energy of Bodo culture and the echoes of age-old traditions.
Aligning with the auspicious occasion of Sankranti, the festival holds deep spiritual significance, anticipating the arrival of thousands of devotees who will undertake a pilgrimage up Baukhungri Hill on April 14. Their ascent is a quest for blessings from Lord Bwrai Bathou, with prayers for well-being and the realization of aspirations.
The ceremonial opening of the festival was conducted by Dharma Narayan Das, the Executive Member of the BTC Tourism Department, who unlocked the main gateway, heralding a spectacle of cultural richness. The festival grounds are abuzz with traditional Bodo sporting competitions, including Khomlainai (Bodo wrestling), Ghila Gelenai, Dongfang Bufunai, and Daobo Athing, complemented by cycling events and other indigenous games that underscore the community’s robust sporting spirit.
Attendees are offered a delightful immersion into Bodo gastronomy through a variety of traditional dishes available at numerous stalls. The cultural tapestry of the region is further enriched by captivating performances from diverse ethnic groups, painting a vivid picture of Bodoland’s harmonious multiculturalism.
The inaugural day witnessed the presence of several key figures, including Dabaisa Boro (EM, Sports Department, BTC), Ranjit Basumatary, Dhanjay Basumatary, Member of Parliament Rwngwra Narzary, and the local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Lawrence Islary.
Beyond its cultural vibrancy, the Baukhungri Festival serves as an essential platform for the conservation of indigenous heritage, the strengthening of community bonds, and the promotion of tourism within the Bodoland Territorial Region. The revered trek scheduled for Sankranti remains the spiritual nucleus of the event, attracting pilgrims from various parts of Assam and neighboring regions.
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