Hindu festival celebrated in Rakhine under AA administration

The article reports on the successful celebration of the four-day Hindu festival “Maharamaya Harinama Rama” in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, which is currently under the administration of the Arakan Army (AA). Held from January 31 to February 3, 2026, the event took place at Kyaukpantu mountain, a site believed by the local Hindu community to have historical connections to Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Sita. The festivities, which included recitations of the Ramayana and prayers to Hanuman, saw participation from thousands of Hindu families as well as local Buddhists, fostering a sense of communal harmony. Devotees noted that the festival was made possible through the active support and protection of the AA’s political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA), which they characterized as being more supportive of minority traditions than previous military-led governments. The event is seen as a significant step toward preserving religious heritage and promoting unity across different ethnic and religious groups in the Arakan region after years of suppression.