Guwahati, 3 November (HS): There is a festive atmosphere across the state at this time. After the completion of the festivals of Durga Puja, Lakhi Puja, Diwali and Kali Puja, now the people of the state are eagerly waiting for the Raas Mahotsav.

Devotees are excited about the Raas Mahotsav of Lord Krishna, which will start on the PURNIMA in the state.

Vaishnav devotees are busy preparing for Raas in the session (monastic) town of Majuli in Upper Assam. The Raas Mahotsav, which starts on the day of Raas Purnima, is performed through Bhauna (acting) in various sessions including Majuli. Raas is organized for one day in different Satras and for three days in some Satras. In the Satra in which Raas is organized for one day, rituals like Hiyanam, Dihanam, Gayan-Bayan, Natuwa Sali, Ojapali etc. are organized on the occasion of Raas on that day.

Raas festival is celebrated for three days in Dakshinpat session. The three days of Rasotsav are known by a special name. The first day is Adivasi, the second day is Raas and the third day is Indrabhishek. Raas puja starts from the morning of Raas Purnima. Apart from Nam-Kirtan, singing-statements, Nam-Kirtan, Natua dance etc. continue throughout the day. Raasleela is performed at night.

Lord Krishna's Raas Mahotsav has been celebrated in various districts of Assam since time immemorial. Raas Mahotsav is also celebrated in Nalbari, Shuwalkuchi, Ramdia, Howli, Tihu, Palashbari etc. of Lower Assam. A large crowd of people from the country and abroad has been seen gathering to see this Raas. In the Raas of Lower Assam, various leelas of Lord Krishna are beautifully decorated through attractive idols. Kaliya Daman, Putana Vadh, Dadhimathan, Kansavadh, Vrindavan's Raasleela etc. are presented through attractive idols.

In view of the Raas Mahotsav, plays are staged at various places with drum playing, Ojapali, Naam Prasanga as well as mobile theatre etc. Many theatre groups perform their plays in Raas at various places including Nalbari and thousands of people come to these areas for Raas.

It is worth mentioning that this time the 91st Shri Krishna Raas Mahotsav will be organized from 15 to 27 November in the famous Shri Shri Harimandir premises of Nalbari. Famous actors Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhlaya, characters Ram and Sita of Ramanand Sagar's famous Ramayana serial, will take part in the inaugural ceremony of Raas. This time there will also be a combination of three rasas in the Raas Mahotsav of Nalbari. There will be a combination of Murti Raas, Jeevan Raas and Putla Raas in the Raas of Nalbari.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash