Buddhists celebrate Maghi Purnima

Buddhists yesterday celebrated the Maghi Punrima, one of their major festivals, in the port city and elsewhere in the district.

Maghi Purnima is celebrated on the full moon night in the month of Magh, commemorating the day on which Gautama Buddha announced his impending death.

In other words, the significance of this day is to develop inner strength and acquire power to overcome all sorrows.

The Purnima was celebrated in all monasteries, respective offices of the religious organisations and educational institutions. The day's programmes began with hoisting of the national and religious flags atop all monasteries at dawn and chanting of the sacred verses from the Tripitaka.

In the port city, the main religious congregations were held at Nandankanan Buddhist temple, Agrabad Shakyamuni Moha Swashan Vihar, Katalganj Nabapandit Vihar, Purnachar International Buddhists Monasteries at Devpahar and Sarbajanina Bouddha Vihar at Momin road.

Traditional fairs were also organised at Buddhist populated regions of Chittagong including Tagorepuni mela (Patiya), Parinirvana mela of Binajuri village (Raozan), Buddha mela of Lathichari village (Raozan), Shakyamuni mela of Abdullahpur village (Hathazari) and Aryamitra Mahaparinirvana mela (Raozan).