The five-day long 8th Buddha Mahotsav at Buddha Vihar of Maniabandha kick-started on Monday to mark the tradition, culture and heritage of the Buddhist religion. local MlA Debi Prasad Mishra, Athagarh Sub-Collector Harish Chandra Nayak, Badamba Block Chairman Anasuya Naik inaugurated the function.
Mahotsav Committee chairman Chakradhar Dalei and secretary Ajit Choudhury said that all the five evenings of the Mahotsav would witness cultural programmes and prabachanas and discussions on the sayings of lord Buddha.
In 16th century AD, a large group of Buddhist worshippers who knew the art of handloom weavers came from Bardhaman district of West Bengal to Badamba as there was some disturbances over their religion. They met the then Badamba King, presented some clothes weaved by them and sought for shelter. The King was so impressed with the artistic design of these weavers even despite the protest of Brahmins of his kingdom, he allowed them to halt at a distance place called Maniabandha and start their trade of weaving for the locals to cater to the clothing needs.
The community today has spread its habitation to other nearby villages at Nuapatna and keeps their traditional profession of weaving handloom products. But all these people have not forgotten to their lord Gautama Buddha, who still follows His teachings.
They are vegetarian in nature, practise prarthana and meditation every morning and evening and are very conservative on caste. They have founded over 15 Buddha temples in Maniabandha region where they follow the discourses of Buddha. Recently, a large structure related to their religion and culture called Boudha Vihar has been developed with the active assistance from the State Government where large hall and different rooms for displaying their products of handloom weaving has taken place over two acres of land where they perform their religion- based functions.
These Buddhist worshippers observed Vaisakh Purnima as Buddha Jayanti with great fervour. However, for last seven years, the district administration, with support from the State Culture Department and the local Buddhist Association, has been observing the function as Buddha Mahotsav.