Kamalganj (Moulvibazar) Correspondent //

After all the preparations, the main religious festival of the Manipuri community, Maharaslila, is being held today in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar.

Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Sylhet’s Debjit Singh will be present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of this grand festival on Friday (November 15). Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Israil Hossain, District Police Superintendent MKH Jahangir Hossain and other guests will be present as special guests.

It is learned that the Ras festival has been organized at two separate places in Madhabpur and Adampur areas of Kamalganj today, ahead of Purnima Tithi. A big fair will be held in both places on this occasion. All preparations have already been completed for the Raslila. The administration has taken extensive security measures to ensure a peaceful completion of the festival.
The 182nd Maharas festival of the Bishnupriya Manipuri community will be organized by the Manipuri Maharaslila Seva Sangha at the Jora Mandap of Madhabpur Shibbazar in Kamalganj Upazila and the 39th Maharas festival of the Moitoi Manipuri community will be held at the Adampur Manipuri Cultural Complex premises.

On the occasion of the festival, the air of celebration is blowing in the villages and neighborhoods inhabited by Manipuri people. Gosthali or Rakhal dance will be held at both places on Friday afternoon and discussion meetings, reception of celebrities and Ras dance will be held at night. Gosthali or Rakhal dance will be held at the open stage of Shibbazar in Madhabpur. The main heart of the Ras festival is Maharaslila at the Jora Mandap at night.

On the other hand, the festival venue Adampur will also have Rakhal dance and Ras leela as usual. However, although Manipuri Vishnupriya and Manipuri Maitai organize them in different places, the essence of the festival, the words of Ras, the prayers of joy are all the same. The inner meaning of the festival is world peace, harmony and true and beautiful love of humanity.

Meanwhile, strict security measures have been taken for the event. Preparations for the Ras festival have been going on in Kamalganj for about a month in advance. To make the Ras festival a success, training and rehearsals of Ras dance and Rakhal dance have been going on in some houses for about a month.

Prabhas Chandra Singh, research officer of the Manipuri Lalit Kala Academy, said that King Bhagyachandra of Manipur first introduced this Ras festival in Manipur. Outside Manipur, the first Maharas festival was held in Madhavpur, Kamalganj in 1842. During the Ras festival, ‘Gosthali’ or ‘Rakhal dance’ is held in the morning. This Rakhal dance continues until dusk. The main part of the Ras festival starts at 12 midnight, following the Maharaslila of Sri Sri Krishna. The Raslila continues till dawn in Krishna Vandana, dancing and singing in the traditional dance costumes of the Manipuri people. The Raslila features Sri Krishna, Radha and about 50 gopis. The number of gopis varies from time to time.
A grand gathering of Manipuri culture centered on one night turns into a fair. For the past few days, preparations and a festive atmosphere have been going on in the Manipuri neighborhoods of Madhabpur and Adampur in Kamalganj Upazila. The pavilions are being decorated with new decorations by spreading colors. On the day of Ras, there will be a Gosthalila or Rakhal Dance at the Shib Bazar Open Stage in Madhabpur, the festival venue. At night, the main Raslila is performed at the Jod Mandapam. In addition to the people of the Manipuri community, thousands of people of other castes and religions will join in the joyous festivities during the Ras festival. People from the Manipuri community from different parts of the country and even India flock to Kamalganj to enjoy the festival.

Kamalganj Police Station OC Syed Iftekhar Hossain told The Daily Morning Sun that extensive security measures have been taken by the police administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the Manipuri Maharaslila. Along with the police, there will be patrols by the army and RAB to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.