Marma community celebrates Sangrai water festival in Khagrachhari

The Marma community in Khagrachhari today (14 April) celebrated their traditional Sangrai festival with vibrant processions, traditional dances and joyful splashes of water as part of the larger Boishabi festival observed by ethnic communities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts. 

The water festival, known as Jol Utsab, is one of the key attractions of Sangrai, which symbolises bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one.

The celebration officially began with floral offerings at Buddhist temples in the morning.

Organised by the Marma Development Council, the festivities started from Bot Tola in Pankhaiyapara of the district town, where a colourful rally featuring hundreds of young men and women in traditional attire paraded the town's main roads.

Cultural performances including traditional songs and dances were performed where a large number of locals and tourists joined.

Marma youths took part in the water-splashing event that symbolises washing away of sorrow, suffering and sins from the past year.

According to their belief, the sacred water brings peace, prosperity and happiness for the days ahead.

Locals said the Sangrai Water Festival has drawn numerous visitors to the district this year, turning Khagrachhari into a vibrant hub of joy and cultural pride.

Organisers expressed hope that the spirit of Boishabi and Sangrai will help strengthen peace, harmony, and coexistence among the diverse communities in the hill region.

Various other traditional events including sports, local delicacies, and Marma cultural displays were also held as part of the daylong celebration.