A CELEBRATION OF DIVINE LOVE

Raas Leela, a celebration of the love between Radha and Krishna, is the most important festival for the indigenous Manipuri community living in greater Sylhet. Manipuris begin the celebrations on the "Purnima Tithi" (full moon) in November. Like every year, the rest of the day was marked by celebratory activities, which included dance and traditional musical performances. A Raas Mela (fair) was organised for the occasion, where handicrafts, household items, sweets, toys, and more were sold. Thousands of people, irrespective of caste and creed, attended the festival in Madhabpur and Adampur of Moulvibazar's Kamalganj, and Manipuri Rajbari and Machimpur in Sylhet, on November 8.  According to Hindu scriptures, the Raas Leela takes place on the night when the Gopis of Vrindavana, upon hearing the sound of Krishna's flute, snuk away to the forest to dance with him throughout the night.

PHOTOS: SHEIKH NASIR