Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila witnesses the initiation of the revered “Baruni Snan” festival, marking an ancient Hindu tradition.
The nearly two-century-old ritual commenced on Saturday, drawing a multitude of devotees to the river banks for a purifying bath believed to cleanse sins.
Partakers from across the nation joined in the festivities, converging on Orakandi for the five-day Mahabaruni fair associated with the event.
Inaugurating the ceremony with a sacred dip in the Kamana Sagar were prominent figures like Godinsheel Thakur, Matuamata Seema Thakur, and Padmanabh Thakur, commemorating Sri Sri Harichand Thakur’s birth and death anniversary.
Subrata Thakur, chairman of Kashiani Upazila and a descendant of Harichand Thakur, expressed gratitude for the vibrant participation, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the occasion.
With an estimated million attendees, the event showcased fervent rituals and prayers for absolution, while also inaugurating the Baruni fair in Orakandi.
Dr. Asit Baran Roy, a committee member, hailed the festival’s significance, attributing its continuity to the government’s support under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Devotees echoed sentiments of sanctity and divine grace, expressing faith in the age-old belief of Orakandi’s purifying waters.
The legacy of Harichand Thakur, revered for his spiritual teachings and miracles, continues to draw devotees to Orakandi, reaffirming the enduring tradition of the annual bathing festival.