Assam: Three-day Poy-Lang Festival begins in Charaideo

The Poy-Lang festival, a three-day event initiated by the Shyam Gaon Buddhist Monastery, commenced on Saturday in the vicinity of the Chalapathar Buddhist Monastery in the Charaideo district.

The festival, deeply rooted in Buddhist customs and traditions, is being celebrated in honour of the late Shasanbansh Mahathera Vante, a monk who devoted over 40 years of his life to the Shyam Gaon Buddhist Monastery.

Shasanbansh Mahathera passed away on August 23, 2023, at the Chalapathar Monastery. The festival is marked by pulling specially designed chariots housing the bodies of deceased monks, culminating in a ceremonial cremation at the end of the third day.

Notably, the bodies of monks who have spent over 40 years in the monastery are traditionally preserved in a 'Nick Paan Kong' for seven to eight months before the Poy Lang festival.

The festival sees the coffin installed in the chariot, with attendees pulling the chariot in an act of virtue believed to bring peace to the departed monk.

Thousands have gathered to participate in this rathotsav, including the respected North East Indian religious leader, Anandaram Baruah Award recipient, Palibhasha, Buddhist scholar, writer, and educator Dharmaratna Shasavansh Mahather Bhante.

Piycheng Chawlo, an organiser, stated that the festival was being celebrated due to the demise of Dr. Sasavansh Mahathera. The first day saw the hoisting of the Buddhist flag and the placement of Mahathar Vante's body in the chariot.

The organising committee anticipates a three-day event attended by people of all castes and religions, including guests from South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, and China.