Festivals in Northeast send message of peace and unity

People of the Northeast region celebrate festivals to spread messages of peace and unity in the nation.

While in Assam, the Deodhana Dance Festival was celebrated with pomp and gaiety, the devotees in Manipur observed the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, which attracted a large number of devotees to the ISKON temple in Imphal.

The birth anniversary of Krishna was celebrated with great enthusiasm, as artists performed Rass Lila dance and Sankirtana, a devotional song. Devotees also offered prayers to seek blessings from the God for peace and harmony in the state.

ISKCON General Secretary Ekanath Das said, "The main theme of observing Krishna Janmashtami is to bring peace in the society, in the state and country as a whole."

Adding to it, Sankirtana singer Jamuna Devi said, "On the birth of Lord Krishna we get an opportunity to sing in praise of God, so I feel very good."

In Guwahati, thousands of devotees from across the country thronged the Kamakhya Temple to celebrate a three-day long Deodhani dance festival.

The artists, having their faces painted with colours and holding weapons, performed Deodhani dance, a semi-classical dance form.

The Deodhani festival was held in connection with the Manasa Puja, worship of the Serpent Goddess. It is believed that taking part in this festival bestows the dancers with powers from goddess Kamakhya.

A visitor from Uttar Pradesh, Dipu Pathak, said, "After visiting the temple we get lot of peace and achievement. I am a priest and hail from a religious place. I am visiting this temple for the last seven to eight years, to attend both the Ambubachi mela and Deodhani festival."

The festivals not only bring spiritual calm and peace, but unite the people of various communities and faiths.