Itanagar: The majestic Golden Pagoda at Tengapani is all set to host the month-long Poi Khating Festival or Kathina Chibar Dena Festival from November 5 next. State PWD Minister Chowna Mein told a press conference yesterday that Buddhists in China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka celebrate it with traditional fervour.
The followers at family level or community level weave new cloth manually and dye it overnight for offering it to the revered monk as per tradition.
The Hindi substitute is ‘kathin’ or ‘kathina’ for the difficult process, ‘Chibar’ for making the cloth and ‘dena’ for offering, hence the the name Kathina Chibar Dena Festival, he said. Namsai, as well as Tengapani which houses the Golden Pagoda is getting ready to celebrate the festival, where Buddhists from all over the country, particularly from North Eastern region are expected to take part.
A 30-member team comprising monks, intellectuals and researchers including a 15- member cultural troupe from Tai Mau from Myanmar have confirmed their participation, Mein said.
Thousands of Buddhists are expected to join the celebration which would include inauguration of a library and monk’s hostel by WRD Minister Newlai Tingkhatra. Aimed at promoting the rich cultural heritage of Tai Khamptis, the centre is contemplating to reform its Khampti script. (PTI)
