Chaithowaimong Marma, Special Correspondent Rangamati:
The Surya Vrat Mela of traditional Hindus was held at the Bangalhalia High School grounds of Bangalhalia Union, Rajasthali Upazila No. 3, Rangamati District. It was inaugurated with various pujas as the sun rose on the morning of 9 February 2025. The President of the Surya Vrat Celebration Committee, Bishwanath Chowdhury, and the leaders of the Surya Vrat Mela Committee, who are traditional Hindu monks, were present at the time.
Surya Vrata Mela: Hindus worship the Sun God by lighting various fruits, leaves, candles, and incense sticks. Like every year, traditional Hindus observe the Surya Vrata Mela in the month of Magh. During the Surya Vrata Mela, professionals from various classes and hill Bengalis from Bandarban, Rangamati, and Rajasthali upazilas gather in small and large fairs. Various shops are seen on the fair grounds, such as blacksmith shops, sweet shops, snack shops, raw vegetables, fish shops. The hill people are seen selling various traditional food items including pitha made of rice and bamboo, and thousands of buyers and sellers are seen buying. Children, both young and old, gather to ride swings for fun. The Surya Mela of Hindus is held in a peaceful and orderly environment, with the support of the local administration and dignitaries of the area. This Surya Mela is held from 8 am to 5 pm. The fair is attended by thousands of people, including women of all ages. By 5 pm, thousands of people have gathered at the fair. A businessman from Chittagong, who did not want to be named, said that many traders have made profits in today's Suryapath fair. A woman selling pies from the remote hills said that she sells various pies to the hill people every year in this Surya Vrata fair and makes a lot of profit. The Surya Vrata fair is a Hindu festival where Hindus worship the Sun God, a Hindu monk told the media. This Surya Vrata fair is well known as a holy fair for Hindus.
Puja Committee President Bishwanath Chowdhury said, "Today's Surya Vrat Mela is a Hindu festival where Hindus worship the Sun God and with the overall cooperation of the police administration and Tania Upazila administration, we were able to conclude the Surya Rath Mela peacefully in a peaceful environment. I would like to thank everyone. If all the traditional Hindus get the overall cooperation in the future, we will be able to hold this Surya Bela Sun God Mela again."
