Baruni Snan begins

Historic 'Baruni Snan', a three-day-long religious ritual of the local Hindu community, began at Boalmari Baruni village in Boda upazila of Panchagarh yesterday.

Hindu devotees of all age groups are flocking to the venue to take a holy dip, a symbolic gesture believed to wash away sins, in the Korotoa river and offer puja.

Ajit Kumar Singh, president of Boalmari Baruni Ganga Temple, said Baruni Snan is an annual event that begins on Chaitra 13, in the Bangla calendar.

Nearly five lakh devotees from different areas take a holy dip in the river every year, Ajit added.

Along with the religious event, a seven-day fair also began on the river banks.

Traders from Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and Nilphamari districts have set up about 500 stalls, displaying handicrafts, household items, pottery, handmade toys and other articles at the venue.