The annual pilgrimage of Fatema Rani has come to an end at Khistdharmapalli of Barmari Sadhu Leo of Nalitabari in Sherpur. Due to the corona, the Roman Catholic festival lasted only six hours on a limited scale. With more than 50,000 pilgrims arriving at the largest pilgrimage site in South Asia every year, this time around 500 people have gathered following the health rules.
According to the organizers, in the morning, the formality of the pilgrimage begins with confession of sins, light procession and holy Christmas (special prayer) at the prayer stage at the foot of the statue of Mother Maria.
Later in the afternoon, the pilgrimage comes to an end with the crucifixion of the living cross and at noon with the Mahakhristayag (closing prayer). Paul Kubi CSC, Bishop of Mymensingh Christian Province presided over the concluding Christmas.
Luis Nengminza, vice-chairman of Baromari Dharmapalli and chairman of Nalitabari Tribal Welfare Association, said that during the pilgrimage, Christians participate in the procession of light by lighting candles to atone for their sins. Sherpur Assistant Superintendent of Police (Nalitabari Circle) Jahangir Alam said the pilgrimage was held on a limited scale following health rules.
Police have taken three-level security measures to make the pilgrimage uninterrupted.