Minister Banna Gupta inaugurates the event in Sakchi on Sunday. (Bhola Prasad)

Festive fervour griped Sakchi-based Bodhi Society on Sunday when it observed Kathin Chibar Daan Utsav — after Buddha Purnima, the most important event for the Buddhist community — with prayers and religious discourses.

Apart from state agricultural minister Banna Gupta, who was the chief guest, about 800 people participated in the daylong programme that started in the morning.

Members of the society organised special delicacies, comprising rice, paneer, dal and sweets, for monks and nuns.

Kathin Chibar Daan Utsav is celebrated after a three-month-long Varsabrata.

Varsabrata begins on Ashadhi Purnima, the full moon day of July, and concludes on Aashini Purnima, the full moon day of October that also coincides with Kojagari Laxmi Puja.

At the daan utsav, devotees donate clothes (also known as chibar) — considered to be the most righteous offerings — to monks.

Buddhist monks from across of the city and other parts of the country take part in the festival here. Also, a monk and a nun from Bangkok participated in the event this year.

“This is a very important festival. I wanted to attend the daan utsav here. I will leave for Bodh Gaya tonight,” said monk Vijjnand, who arrived in the steel city from Bangkok.

He added that the utsav was important because the years of service for monks were calculated on the basis of Varsabrata. A monk completing one Varsavrata means he has completed a year of monkhood.

Shilabrata Barua, a member of the Bodhi Society, said: “The story of Varsabrata dates back to the times of Gautam Buddha. Monks could not come out of their shelters due to rain and requested Gautam Buddha to arrange for a place where they could stay and spend the rainy season. At the end of the season, devotees used to provide them with food and clothes.”

He added that the utsav had to be organised within a month from the date of Pravarana, the last day of Varsabrata.