Members of the Oraon community in Thakurgaon have celebrated the annual Karam Puja in a vibrant manner with utmost enthusiasm.
Starting on Monday night, the major community festival lasted until Tuesday evening. Discussions, cultural programs, and prayers were held to mark the occasion.
The Karam Puja honours God Karam, the deity of strength, youth and vitality. It is observed on the 11th day of the lunar month of Bhadra. Young villagers travel in groups to the jungle to gather wood, fruits, and flowers, which are necessary for the Karam Puja.
The Karam Puja and SamajikUtsab Committee organized the festival at SalandarPanchpirDanga village in the Sadar upazila.
The participants sang and danced in celebration, and several hundred people from nearby villages came to enjoy the festival.
Additional District Magistrate Ramkrishna Barman, Additional Superintendent of Police Liza Begum, Sadar Upazila Chairman Arunangshu Dutta Titu, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Belayet Hossain and community leaders, among others, enjoyed the festival.
BiswanathKetketa, president of the festival committee, said: “We organise the celebrations despite our financial hardship.
“It could still be more colourful, like the major festivals of other religious beliefs, had there been funding from the government.”
