DJ Venkatesh
Pahalgaon, Mar 14: The Birthday celebrations of Haridasa Thakura celebrated by Matua Mahasangha, near GSSS Pahalgaon at Pahalgaon, Tugapur, Mayabunder today.
Matua Mahasangha is a religious reformation movement that originated from the village of Buron in the present district of Sat-kira which was previously a subdivision of Khulna, Bangladesh.
Matua is a section of Hindu folk religion.
The movement was launched as a reformation by the followers of Sri Harichand Thakur, popularly to by adherents as God.
The teachings of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur established education as preeminently important for the adherent and the up-liftment of the population the adherent’s duty, while also providing a formula for ending social conflict. Initially the Matua-mahasangha followers or “matuas” formed an organization in Orakandi, Faridpur (Bangladesh) After Orakandi and Thakur village of W. Bengal, Pahalgaon is believed to the third largest place where followers gather to worship.
People from Various parts of the Islands thong to celebrate the festival. People form a group from remote villages and reach here carrying Dhol, flags chanting Hari naam. After reaching they offer prayers at Hari Temple. At a nearby pond the devotees take a dip and bath which is they believed to be equal to bath in the Ganga river. Annadaan will offer to devotees then Bhajans, keertans of harinaam will follow throughout the night. The next day the Mahabhog will be offered to the Thakur.
