Moha Ras Lila

Young Manipuris perform Ras Nrittya at the festival. Photo: STAR

The Moha Ras Lila festival of the Manipuri community of Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar district concluded on Friday dawn. Thousands of people irrespective of religion, cast and creed thronged the festival venue and enjoyed the programme the entire night.
The festival is held year during Purnima (full moon), between the Bangla months of late Kartik and early Agrahayan. This year around one lakh people from across the country had gathered at the Manipuri populated Madhabpur and Adampur villages of Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar district.
The Ras Lila festival celebrates the boyhood of Lord Sri Krishna. In Shibbazar 'Jura Mondop' (Manipuri temple) of Madhabpur village, the major venue of Moha Ras Lila, the programme began with a presentation of 'Gustha Lila' (farmer-boy dance). Several Manipuri boys made up as 'Gopal' ( the young Krishna) and his 'Sokha' (friends), performed dances to the beat of musical instruments. They performed the dances at a venue decorated with banana trees. From midnight, the main programme of the festival Ras Nrittya (Ras dance). Young Manipuris attired as 'Radha Rani' 'Shokhi' (friends) performed Ras Nrittya.
Besides Ras Lila, a discussion, reception, presentation of martial arts and other cultural events were also held. Dipankar Talukdar MP State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affair attended the event as chief guest. Md Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Moulvibazar and Harunur Rashid SP were special guests.
Later, Manipuri devotees distributed 'Harir Luut' (sweets).
A colourful village fair was held at the two festival venues of Adampur and Madhabpur. Various handicraft items, household goods, toys and sweets were on sale for the enthusiastic visitors.
The festival is a unique opportunity for promoting communal harmony, said many visitors.
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Ras Lila Fest at Kantanagar temple

Kongkon Karmaker, Dinajpur
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Thousands of devotees paid obeisance at the 'Ras Lila Festival' at Kantanagar temple here in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur on Thursday midnight as the traditional Ras Mela began with festivity.
Devotees from various places across the country including Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Joypurhat, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Dhaka, Faridpur, Gopalganj and Barisal as well as outside the country gathered at the temple site early Thursday to celebrate the annual festival.
Marking the celebration, the Kantanagar temple and its surrounding areas were brightly illuminated.
Most devotees with musical instruments or Kirtaniyas, came with their families and friends to pay obeisance at the temple.
Among those who came to seek blessings were newlywed couples and families with newborn babies. Chitta Ghosh, a member of the organising committee said that this year the number of devotees had registered a remarkable increase to over 2.3 lakh people.
Marking the Festival, a month long fair has been organised at the temple site.
Monoranjansil Gopal, (local lawmaker of Kaharol-Birganj upazila of Dinajpur) inaugurated the Mela as chief guest. Mir Nazrul Islam ADC (General) and Md. Mainul Islam Police Super of Dinajpur Chitta Ghosh president of Dinajpur Press Club and trustee member of Kantanagar temple state were present as special guests.
The Ras Lila festival began a around 1.30am Friday.
Such was the rush of pilgrims, that all the major roads to Kantanagar temple were choked.