Tinsukia, Assam gripped by Chhath fever
Tinsukia: with the Bihari migrant labour finding new destinations like Bangalore, NODA and Surat, the migrant’s Assam story with its roots going back to early 20thcentury or even earlier has been neglected. The only time a Bihari makes news in Assam is when he gets killed or attacked by the violent local factions. But all over Assam, Tinsukia even among the Biharis is known as ‘the second Bihar’ despite the periodic attacks faced by the migrant. According to a report in the local press, Tinsukia district was recently ‘gripped by the Chhat Puja fever’. The report goes on to mention that the Chhath Puja celebrations here is not just confined to people only from Bihar but it is celebrated by the people of different sections of Hindus and that devotees of Chhat Puja are increasing every year in Tinsukia district. It would seem that the local populace is also joining the Chhath fold!
The devotees with offerings thronged the nearby water bodies for offering puja right since this afternoon all over the district. The commercial places like Tinsukia town, Makum, Digboi, Margherita, Ledo, Doomdooma, Kakopathar, Dhola etc of the district were full of festive spirit and temporary markets came up in these places with items required especially for puja. Security was tightened by the district and police administrations and strict vigilance was maintained to prevent any type of untoward incident during the puja period. At Tinsukia, devotees thronged to offer puja in Devipukhuri, Napukhuri, Railway Pukhuri and other ponds, both private and public in and around the town.
[Courtesy: Assam Tribune]