Raj Punnah begins December 21

Raj Punnah, the biggest and most colourful traditional festival of the Bohmong Circle, will begin in Bandarban on December 21.

17th Bohmong Circle Chief Engineer U Chaw Prue announced the programme schedule at a press conference held at the royal palace yesterday.

On the opening day, Bohmong Raja will collect jhum taxes from the headmen of 109 mouzas and around 1,000 karbaris (chief of a para) under the Bohmong circle.

People belonging to Bohmong Circle also bring different kinds of traditional gifts for the king during the festival.

A traditional fair will be held at the historical Rajar Math in the town during the three-day Raj Punnah.

Tourists from home and abroad will gather in Bandarban to celebrate the programme.

Royal family sources said the Bohmong dynasty has been celebrating the Raj Punnah festival in Bandarban from 1875 to collect jhum taxes.