Guwahati, 5 April (HS): On the holy occasion of Ashok Ashtami, people across Assam came together with devotion and faith. Celebrated on the eighth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, this festival saw thousands even lakhs of devotees taking a holy dip in the Brahmaputra river at different places in the state.

In Guwahati’s Pandu ghat, from early Saturday morning, a large crowd of devotees gathered for the Ashok Ashtami holy bath. Devotees from Cooch Behar in North Bengal, especially from Shri Chaitanya Karunamayi Seva Ashram, came to take part in the bathing. Along with the local people, many had come from far-off places to take this holy bath. Small vendors had set up shops near the ghat, selling prayer items and other needed things, creating a lively religious and economic atmosphere.

In Tezpur’s Ganesh Ghat too, from the morning hours, many devotees gathered on the banks of the Brahmaputra. A day-long fair was organised at the ghat on this occasion, and thousands of people joined in with full faith. Similarly, in Dhubri, a huge crowd of lakhs of devotees was seen on the riverbanks. A fair is traditionally held here during Ashok Ashtami. People believe that taking a holy bath in the Brahmaputra on this day washes away sins and fulfils wishes. Earlier, only followers of Sanatan Dharma used to take part in this, but now people from different Hindu communities also join in the bath and prayer rituals.

In Bongaigaon district’s famous Yogighopa ghat, the Ashok Ashtami fair also began. On the second day of the three-day fair, thousands of devotees from districts like Barpeta, Chirang, Kokrajhar, and Goalpara came to take part. In the morning, people performed holy bath, head shaving (mundan), pinda daan, and ashes offering rituals for their late parents and relatives. According to religious belief, bathing in the Brahmaputra on this special day is equal to bathing in the holy Ganga.

In Nagaon district’s Kachua, at the Shri Shri Madhav Than, the 87th Ashok Ashtami fair was held this year. From early morning, devotees took a holy bath in the Barpani river and then took part in religious programmes like naam-kirtan throughout the day. Devotees from many parts of Assam gathered here, making this day a true symbol of faith, devotion, and unity.

Hindusthan Samachar / Debjani  Patikar