Dhaka: Ratha Yatra, the chariot festival of Sri Jagannath Dev and one of the major festivals celebrated by the Hindu community, concluded today with the Ulto Ratha Yatra, or reverse journey. This event marked the end of the festival with various rituals observed at different temples nationwide.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the day’s festivities began in the morning with the chanting of Harisangkirtan and the holding of Agnihotra Joggo, which sought world peace and the welfare of people. The celebration also included the recitation of verses from the Srimat Bhagabat Geeta, distribution of moha prosad, discussions, renditions of padaboli kirtan, arati, cultural functions, staging of religious dramas, and screening of religious films at temples across the country.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) organized a nine-day programme in Dhaka, starting with the Ratha Yatra procession and other rituals on June 27. As part of the festivities, a colourful procession featuring chariots was organized by ISKCON, commencing from the Dhakeshwari National Temple in the afternoon. A large number of devotees participated, pulling the ropes of the chariots that carried the deities of Jagannath, Balaram, Subhadra, and Sudarshana Chakra through various notable locations in Dhaka, eventually concluding at the ISKCON temple in Swamibagh.
The Ulto Ratha Yatra was also celebrated at locations such as Ramseeta Mandir at Joikali Mandir Road in Shankharibazar and Jagannath Jeo Mandir in Tantibazar, as well as other places throughout the country. Dhamrai, located in the Dhaka district, hosted the country’s oldest and most traditional Ulto Ratha Jatra festival.
Special security measures were implemented across the country, including the capital, to ensure the safety of participants and prevent any untoward incidents during the festival. The Ratha Yatra is a significant event involving a chariot journey with deities, drawing millions of Hindu pilgrims annually from the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh. Puri’s Ratha Yatra is recognized as the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival, observed every year during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashar.