NALBARI, Nov 17 � With the full moon night of autumn round the corner, the people of Nalbari are bracing up to celebrate the Raas festival to be held at the Harimandir premises from November 21 with a 12-day programme.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has consented to inaugurate the main gate of the Raas Festival while Revenue Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman and Bhrigugiri Maharaj will attend as guests. The guests will be brought to the Harimandir complex by a cultural procession representing the folk culture of all communities residing in the district.
A festive mood is gradually picking up in the district and the celebration committee has been working day and night on a war footing to make the festival a grand success.
The secretary of Nalbari Raas Celebration Committee, Nareswar Kalita told this correspondent that the committee by this time has taken some special measures to draw the attention of crowd.
He informed that about ten idol makers have been engaged in idol making. They have newly made and repaired more than a 1000 idols for display during the Raas festival. About 84 temporary stalls are under construction for the installation of the idols which depict different incidents from the eventful life of Lord Krishna. The committee has decided to display mechanised and electrified idols at 20 stalls. Besides, an entrance in the model of �Rangghar� will be erected at the Harimandir premises. A replica of the Eiffel Tower will also be installed with sophisticated devices.
During the festival, cultural programmes like bhaona, jatra party, mobile theatre will be performed. A souvenir will also be brought out.
However, though the Raas is round the corner, the roads of Nalbari town areas are yet to be developed. Despite, the Raas Celebration Committee repeatedly approaching the PWD authority, they have remained a silent spectator on the issue
Raas at Damodardham: Preparation for the 6-day Raas festival of Damodardham Sartra of Pandula in Nalbari district are on in full swing.
On November 21, the Raas festival will be inaugurated by Revenue Minister, Dr Bhumidhar Barman who is also the president of the Raas Celebration Committee. The Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has consented to attend as guest of honour. The 57th Raas festival of Damodardham will come to an end on November 25.
