Bangladeshis throng annual "Urs" fair in West Bengal

Midnapore (West Bengal), Feb 18 (ANI): About 1500 pilgrims from Bangladesh arrived in Midnapore town of West Bengal for annual "Urs" celebration.

The pilgrims arrive every year mainly from Rajbari area to visit 'Jora Masjid' in Midnapore district and take part in the fifteen-day-long fair.

Devotees, both men and women, made offerings of flowers, sweets, 'chhaddars' and 'itr' at the mausoleum.

The entire Mia Bazaar area of Midnapore bore a festive look with flower vendors and sweetmeat sellers doing brisk business.

People on both sides of the border are proud of this decades old tradition. They feel that the train has become a symbol of abiding faith, friendship and harmony between the people of both nations irrespective of the changing political agenda in the intervening years.

"For the last 108 years people from Bangladesh have come here to participate in this 'Urs'. We believe that this train has kept the bond of friendship between the two nations alive," said Abdul Ansari, a Bangladeshi pilgrim.

The residents in Midnapore along with the district administration have made all arrangements to provide necessary facilities like food and lodging, safe drinking water and hassle free worship for the visitors.

"The Indo-Bangladesh relationship should not be uninterrupted. In this peaceful Midnapore town only peaceful things should happen. People come here from several districts and other places to participate in the festival apart from Bangladesh people," said Tarak Das, a resident.

According to residents, the train has come to Midnapore from Rajbari in Bangladesh every year since 1902. By Sankho (ANI)