A 135-year-old traditional ceremony was observed with devotion at Paschim Chapra village in Barama of Assam’s Baksa district, as villagers gathered at the Chapra Hari Mandir to uphold a ritual they say has been passed down through generations. Held each year on an auspicious day in the Assamese month of Ahaar, the event is regarded locally as a marker of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
Villagers say the practice began more than a century ago, when a devastating epidemic struck the community. According to local belief, Goddess Kechai Khaiti appeared in a dream and revealed specific rites to end the outbreak. After the prescribed rituals were performed, the village reportedly recovered, and the ceremony has been repeated annually in remembrance and gratitude.
Traditional offerings form the heart of the observance. Devotees present a banana-trunk altar smeared with vermilion, nine varieties of offerings, nine duck eggs, a pair of pigeons and a bunch of raw bananas in the name of Goddess Kechai Khaiti. The programme also includes prayers, devotional singing and other religious observances that create a spiritually charged atmosphere throughout the day.
The ritual draws not only local residents but also devotees from nearby areas, with many believing sincere prayers during the ceremony help fulfil wishes. Crowds fill the temple premises from morning until late evening each year, organisers said.
Despite its long history and cultural importance, organisers said the annual ceremony receives no government financial assistance and is funded by villagers’ own contributions. Local residents described the rite as more than a religious observance, calling it a symbol of regional identity and communal harmony, and appealed to the state Culture Department, the local MLA and other authorities for financial support to preserve and promote the 135-year-old tradition for future generations.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/135-year-old-ritual-in-baksa-village-keeps-centuries-old-tradition-alive-1419396-2026-07-06?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-07-06 08:56:00
