Baruni, another name for the daughter of the Himalaya, goddess Ganga, is celebrated with a holy dip in the river on the thirteenth day of the waning moon in the Bengali month of Chaitra. This year, the auspicious occasion fell on Saturday, making it a Maha Baruni Mela, a rare occurrence that happens only once every few years.
The traditional Baruni Mela at Sabroom, a town on the India-Bangladesh border, under the South Tripura District witnessed a somber atmosphere this year. Due to the border security issue and barbed wire fencing, many pilgrims were reportedly unable to perform the sacred ritual of tarpan (offering oblations) in the Feni River in Sabroom.
The Sabroom Baruni Mela has a long history of bringing people together. Hindus from both India and Bangladesh would gather on the banks of the Feni River to offer prayers and pay homage to their ancestors. However, this year it was difficult for people from both sides to come together.
The Baruni Mela is a symbol of tradition, unity, and hope. While the barbed-wire fencing has created physical barriers, it has not dampened the spirit of the festival. People from both sides of the border continue to celebrate Baruni Mela in their own way, keeping alive the hope for a future where they can once again come together and celebrate their shared heritage.
Folklorist Ashokendu Roy Bardhan said while talking about Baruni Mela, that along with Hindu religious rituals, the beautiful memory of a meeting of Bengalis from Bangladesh and India centered on Feni River is still unfaded. He expressed hope that the friendly relationship between the Bengalis of the two countries will continue through the Maitri Bridge.
Unable to carry out rituals at the Feni River, this time Baruni Mela was held at Sabroom Dautieshwari Kali Temple pond. The pilgrims brought water from the Fenni River by pump and offered tarpan to the ancestors in the Kali temple pond.
On the other hand, the traditional Baruni Mela was held with pomp at the Amlighat Shiv Mandir in Sabroom. On this day, the Border Security Force opened the barbed wire gate at the Fenni River adjacent to the Shiv Mandir. The pilgrims performed various religious rituals including tarpan in the Fenni River from 7 am to 3 pm. The cooperation of the Border Security Force in this Baruni Mela Hindu religious ceremony is commendable. According to BSF sources, about 2,290 pilgrims performed tarpan in the Fenni River on this day.
Speaking about the traditional Baruni Mela of Shiv Bari, Manibala Dutta Vaidya, the chairperson of Bangarh block, said that the fair is about a hundred years old. The number of devotees is increasing every day due to the fair. He said that he will submit a proposal to the state government for the development of this Baruni Mela and Shiv Mandir.
Notably, the Baruni Mela and Ganga Puja was performed at Laugang in Santirbazar sub division under the South Tripura District today with usual pomp and religious fervor. Thousands of people from different areas took part.