138th Appearance Festival of Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra Begins in Pabna

The 138th Shuvo Abirbhava-Barsha-Smaran Mahotsav of Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra began on Monday (March 2) with congregational prayers and devotional gatherings on the occasion of Punya Dol Purnima.

The three-day festival is being held at the Satsang Ashram premises in Himaitpur, Pabna. From the first day, the ashram area saw a large turnout of devotees arriving from different parts of the country.

The festival was formally inaugurated by Advocate Indrajit Saha, trustee of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Sirajganj, Pabna and Bogra regions. In the evening, a religious discussion meeting was held where retired army physician Captain Dr Sarwar Jahan Faiz attended as guest of honour.

The discussion session was presided over by Satsang Central Committee President Pranshankar Das (S.P.R.). The welcome address was delivered by Deputy General Secretary Soumitra Majumdar Palash. Several scholars and devotees from across the country spoke on the theme, “The Supreme Pilgrimage in the Life of Dol-Dipali.”

Earlier in the afternoon, a youth conference was held, presided over by senior vice-president of the Satsang Central Committee Bikash Chandra Das (S.P.R.I.). Former joint secretary of Pabna district BNP Mosabbir Hoseb Sanju attended as guest of honour. Speakers discussed youth responsibility and moral values in light of Satsang teachings.

On the second day, Tuesday (March 3), the evening discussion meeting will be attended as chief guest by Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas. Special guests include Dr Shahed Mostafa, Superintendent of Police Md Anwar Zahid, and leaders of social, religious and media organisations of Pabna. A Matri Sammelan (women’s conference) will also be held in the afternoon.

According to the organisers, the three-day programme includes morning and evening meditation, congregational prayers, recitation of holy scriptures, devotional songs, religious discussions, processions, youth and women’s conferences, and Mahaprasad distribution. Special prayers are also being offered for world peace and human welfare.

General Secretary of the Satsang Central Committee, Tapas Chandra Barman (S.P.R.), said all preparations have been completed to ensure the festival is observed peacefully and with dignity. He expressed hope that hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the country will participate in the Punya Dol Purnima celebrations.