Janmashtami celebrated
A child incarnation of Krishna being carried in a procession celebrating Janmashtami. The photo was taken at Palashi intersection in the capital yesterday.Photo: STAR
The Hindus yesterday celebrated Janmashtami, a religious festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, across the country amid festivity and religious fervour.
On the occasion, religious organisations of the Hindus arranged various programmes including prayers to Krishna, puja, discussion, padabali kirtan, Geeta Jaggyam (special prayers), devotional songs in praise of Krishna, drama and cultural functions at different temples.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed greeted the occasion with separate messages issued on the eve of Janmashtami.
President Iajuddin and his wife Anwara Begum exchanged greetings with the members of the Hindu community at the Bangabhaban yesterday morning.
In the capital, thousands of men, women and children joined the historical Janmashtami rally and procession brought out from the Dhakeshwari Temple. It ended at Bahadur Shah Park after parading different roads.
According to the Hindu faith, Krishna, the incarnation of God, descended to this world some 5,500 years ago with a vow to establish love, truth and justice. Devotees on this day celebrate his 'birth' on earth.
Security was tightened at the festival venues and temples in different areas of the capital city. Members of intelligent agencies, plainclothes and uniformed police, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were deployed and metal detectors were used as part of the security measures
Inaugurating the rally at Palashi near Dhakeshwari Temple, Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka said people of all faiths in Bangladesh have equal rights to celebrate their religious festivals. Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, Prof Nim Chandra Bhoumik of Dhaka University also spoke on the occasion.
Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Udjapon Committee organised a two-day religious festival at Dhakeswari National Temple with Geeta Jaggyam for the welfare of the country and its people.
Nirmal Chatarjee, joint secretary of the puja committee, said that the procession consisted of 135 trucks carrying devotees. They adorned themselves as Lord Krishna, Krishna's father Basudev, mother Deboki, borther Balaram and maternal uncle Kongsha.
The day was also celebrated in the capital's many other temples including ISKCON temple at Swamibagh, Ramsita Mandir, Radha Madhob Jeu Dev Bigroho temple in old Dhaka's Kailash Ghosh Lane, and Radha Govinda Jeu Thakur temple at Sutrapur.
Devotees gathered at the temples from morning to offer their prayers to Lord Krishna.
Awami League acting President Zillur Rahman, BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain, Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, Bikalpadhara President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, LDP President Oli Ahmed, CPB President Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and Dhaka city Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka were among the political leaders who greeted the Hindus with separate messages on the occasion.
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