Dhaka: Janmashtami, one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community commemorating the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, is being celebrated across the country today with due religious fervour and gaiety. Temples, religious organisations, and various institutions have drawn up elaborate programmes to mark the occasion.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sri Krishna was born on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the Bangla month of Bhadra, as per Hindu mythology. It is believed that he incarnates in every age to protect the virtuous from the wicked and to establish truth, justice, and beauty in society. The festival is usually observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shraban or Bhadra.
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has extended greetings to the members of the Hindu community. The day of Janmashtami is a public holiday in Bangladesh, and national dailies have published special articles. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private TV and ra
dio stations are airing special programmes highlighting different aspects of the life and philosophy of Lord Sri Krishna.
The Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee has organised a central observance at Dhakeshwari National Temple, which includes Geeta Joggo at 8 am. A Janmashtami procession will be brought out at 3 pm from the city’s Palashi intersection. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman will inaugurate the procession, which will also be attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Bangladesh Army 9th Infantry Division GOC Major General Md Moin Khan, among others. The procession will parade through the streets in front of Jagannath Hall, Shaheed Minar, Doyel Chattar, High Court intersection, Banga Bazar, and Golapshah Majar, concluding at Bahadur Shah Park.
On August 19, a discussion on Janmashtami is scheduled to be held at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, with Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy
Poddar attending as the chief guest. Additionally, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has organised a four-day programme from August 14 at Swamibagh Asram in the capital, which includes recitation from Srimad Bhagavad Geeta, performance of devotional songs, vog arati, distribution of mahaprashad, discussions, and cultural functions. The festival will be celebrated in temples across the country with various programmes.