Hindus of seven villages in Mahendranagar union under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila celebrated “bamboo game” on the occasion of Devi Briddheshwari Puja on Sunday, the first day of the Bangla month of Kartik.

The game has been celebrated in these villages for 200 years, when the puja for Devi Briddheshwari, locally known as Buri Puja, was started at Burirbazar Temple, Hindu devotees said. The area got its name -- Burir Bazar -- after the puja, they added.

The villages that celebrate Bamboo Game are Burir Bazar, Satpatki, Majhipara, Chinipara, Telipara, Mahendranagar and Majapara.

A member of Burir Bazar Devi Briddheshwari Temple Committee Dhirendranath Roy said the game is played in these villages in presence of many devotees who come from different areas. “At least one thousand bamboos from these villages are placed in the temple. They are taken away by the villagers after completion of the month-long puja,” he said.

Shesob Chandra Roy, 68, a devotee of Majhipara, said he has been celebrating bamboo game every year since his childhood. “My late grandfather told me he also played the game from his childhood,” he said, adding that only male devotees take part in the game.

Atul Chandra Roy, 48, of Chinipara, said they place the bamboos in front the Devi Briddheshwari after playing the game, and pray for the Devi's blessing. “Mainly we pray for our children, and we believe Devi Briddheshwari blesses our children,” he added.

A month-long Buri Fair is held during Kartik. Hindu devotees come from different areas in Lalmonirhat and neighbouring districts Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rangpur and Nilphamari. They come to seek blessings from the Devi for their children.

Priest of the temple Kanai Chandra Chakrabarty said it is a religious custom in these villages to celebrate bamboo game on the occasion of Devi Briddheshwari puja every year. “All devotees take part in the puja and pray to Devi Briddheshwari for receiving her blessing,” he added.