Janmastami today

Members of the Hindu community observe their religious festival Janmastami marking the birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna in the capital and elsewhere in the country today with due religious fervour and enthusiasm.
Different socio-cultural and religious organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the Janmastami in a befitting manner.
The programmes include puja, prayer and Gita Yogya, discussion, procession, cultural function, distribution of `prasad' and feeding to the poor.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Visnu incarnated in the universe as Lord Krishna in the prison of Raja Kangsa on the eighth day of "Shukla Pakka" (bright fortnight) in the month of Bhadra in Dwapara Yug in order to protect "Dharma" from the clutches of devils.
As part of the central programme, Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee has taken up a two-day programme. On the fist day of the programme 'Geeta Yagya' will be held at Dhakeswari Mandir at 9:00am today.
Shankar Math of Sitakunda, Chittagong, will conduct the Geeta Yagya. Special prayer will also be offered seeking welfare, peace and progress of the country.
The traditional and colourful Janmastami procession will be brought out from Dhakaswari Natioal Temple at 4:00pm. Mayor of Dhaka Sadek Hossaon Khoka will inaugurate the procession while sector commander Major General CR Dutta (retd) Bir Uttam will be the chief guest. Local MP Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin will attend as special guest.
On the second day, a discussion will be held at 6:00pm to be attended by Law Minister Shafique Ahmed as the chief guest while State Minister for Religious Affairs Shajahan Mia, State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Quamrul Islam and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promode Mankin as special guests.
President Zillur Rahman will host a reception for distinguished members of the Hindu community marking the day.
The government has declared the day as a public holiday on the occasion of Janmastami. National dailies will publish special stories on works and ideals of Lord Krishna while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will put up special programmes highlighting significance of the day.
Like previous years a buzzing Janmastami will be celebrated in port city Chittagong through a four-day programmes. The programmes of the Janmastami Udjapan Parishad begins today.