Rajganj, 10th February: The 114th Rajbanshi Kshatriya Upanayan Divas was observed with religious fervour at Chairikhari in Rajganj. The occasion also marked the observance of International Rajbanshi Kshatriya Milan Divas and the Kulaguru-Kulashishya Sammelan.
The programme was organised under the management of the Jalpaiguri district committee of the Uttar Banga Kshatriya Rajbanshi Kulaguru Kulashishya and Bhakta Samaj Seva Pratisthan. The celebrations were held on the banks of the Karatoya River at Mehendigachh in the Ambari area.
The observance began on Monday with a Kalash Yatra followed by the hoisting of the organisation’s flag. The day was marked by various religious rituals and prayers.
More than two hundred adolescents and youths underwent the Upanayan ceremony and were formally initiated into the Kshatriya tradition. Eminent personalities from different parts of the country, as well as from Nepal, took part in the programme.
Jalpaiguri district committee president Karunakanta Adhikari said the first phase of the programme included Shiva Puja, Ganga Puja, Shakti Sanchaarini Puja and Radha Gobinda Puja.
He added that discussions were held on the importance of the Upanayan ceremony in Rajbanshi society and on Thakur Panchanan, with several distinguished speakers participating.
A cultural programme has been organised in the evening as part of the day-long celebrations.