100-year-old priest of ancient Mandi religion passes away
Janik Nokrek, a priest of the ancient Mandi (Garo) religion, passed away today at his house in Madhupur upazila in Tangail due to old age complications.
He was around 100 years old.
He left behind five sons, three daughters and around 30 grandchildren to mourn his death, our Tangail correspondent reports.
Janik, who was known as a living legend to the Mandi community, was one of the few people practicing the ancient "Sangsarek" religion.
Alik Mree, Janik's neighbour and also general secretary of Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan, said Janik died around 10:30am and he had been suffering from different complications.
His cremation will be held at his house in Chuniya at 1:00pm tomorrow as per his last wish, he said.
Janik was born at his father Atul Mree's house in India's Tripura. His mother Onsi Nokrek was from Pirgachha in Madhupur. Janik moved to Madhupur from Tripura and settled here after marrying Anita Mree.
He had heard about World War 1 during his childhood, and witnessed the British era. He had traveled miles on foot to listen to Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah speak.
He met Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman when he along with Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib and Sheikh Russel visited Dokhala in Madhupur in January of 1971.
He had been practicing the ancient Mandi religion even though all members of his family converted to Christianity.
"Janik had knowledge of the ancient culture and traditions of the Mandi and led all festivals of the community in Madhupur," said Ajoy-A-Mree, a veteran Garo leader in Madhupur.
"With his departure, the Mandis of Madhupur area have lost their senior-most priest devoted to the ancient religion," he added.
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