Hindu devotees prepare for Ram Leela celebrations

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Members of the Bulileka Ram Lila Mandeer temple during a prayer meeting yesterday. Picture: LUKE RAWALAI

HINDU devotees and members of the Bulileka Ram Leela Mandir outside Labasa Town began their preparations for the 10-day Ram Leela celebrations yesterday.

Temple committee president Amukh Prasad said the celebrations, which begin on October 12, would be the 116th at one of the oldest shrines in Vanua Levu.

“The only time that traditional celebration rites were not observed was during the coup of 1987 when prayers were offered for 10 days,” he said.

“For us it is a time when we also celebrate the life of the founder of the temple, Baij Nath Baba.

“The 10-day celebration or Dhaara Paar is something that we have always observed as did our forefathers who brought the religion with them from India.”

During Ram Leela, Mr Prasad said they would re-enact Hindu deity Lord Rama’s life as portrayed in the ancient Hindu sacred poem known as the Ramayana.

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