Documentary brings to focus religious site in Bangladesh

SHILLONG: A documentary by Bangladesh-based researcher and filmmaker Niranjan Dey, featuring the cultural diversity and socio-religious harmony of the people of Bangladesh, was screened here recently.
‘The Flowing Sanctity’ is about Pana Teertha, a holy place situated in the northeastern part of Bangladesh in Tahirpur Upazila of Sunamganj district.
“It is a pilgrimage for the Vaishnava sect.Pana Teertha came from the Bengali word ‘Pon’ meaning promise. It refers to a promise made and fulfilled by Sri Chaitanya’s associate, Sri Advaitacharya, to his mother by bringing the seven holy rivers to that place so that she can perform ‘Ganga snan’ (holy ablution in the Ganga) without traveling too far,” says the director of the film.
In the Bengali month of Chaitra (March-April), a religious festival called ‘Baruni Snan’ takes place at Pana Teertha where lived and preached a popular Sufi saint, Pir Shah Arefin.
“Till 1947, the ancient Kamrup (now in Assam) encompassed Sreehatta (present Sylhet). The whole area was under the territory of the huge kingdom named Pragjyotishpur, which finds mention in The Mahabharata. The two other kingdoms of ancient Sylhet were known as Gour and Jaintya,” an Asian Confluence release reads.
Every year, when ‘Baruni Snan’ of the Hindus takes place here, Muslims, too, gather for a religious event called ‘Uros’ in remembrance of Pir Shah Arefin.
For ages, it has been a one-of-its-kind pilgrimage for both Hindus and Muslims and this has been acknowledged by people from both communities in the film, the release adds.
“Thousands of people from both religions gather here at the same time and participate in both the events that reflect the harmonious bond between the two communities,” it says
The film also talks about the Khasis and their lives that revolve around rivers and the attack on the Laur Kingdom by the Khasis.