Assam Villagers Keep 135-Year-Old Ritual Alive Without State Aid

Guwahati: Villagers in Paschim Chapra, Assam, gathered at the Chapra Hari Mandir to mark a 135-year-old religious tradition. They held the ceremony this week to honor a practice rooted in local history. The ritual began after a deadly epidemic struck the area over a century ago. Residents claim Goddess Kechai Khaiti appeared in a dream to reveal the necessary rites to stop the sickness. The village recovered, and they have held the event every year since.

Devotees bring specific offerings to the altar. They present a banana trunk decorated with vermilion, nine types of food, nine duck eggs, a pair of pigeons, and raw bananas. The day includes prayers and singing. It brings in locals and visitors from surrounding areas who pray for their wishes to be granted.

The event relies entirely on private funds. Organizers say the government has never provided financial help to sustain the site or the ceremony. Residents now want the Culture Department and local politicians to step up. They argue the event defines their heritage. As one resident noted, the ceremony "represents the region's cultural identity and communal harmony." Villagers continue to pass the hat to keep the tradition moving forward for the next generation.