Janmastami celebrated

Hindu devotees bring out a rally in city to celebrate the birthday of lord Krishna yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Different organisations arran-ged various programmes, including prayers, puja, kirtan, devotional song, dance, drama, cultural functions and discussions at temples, to mark the day.

The celebration of Janmastami is a universal phenomenon among the Hindus that generates veneration as Sri Krishna, considered the reincarnation of Lord Bishnu, gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita -- the guiding principles for every Hindu.

In the capital, thousands of men, women and children joined the traditional Janmastami rally and colourful procession brought out from Dhakeshwari National Temple. The procession paraded through different roads and ended at Bahadur Shah Park.

Security was tightened at the festival venues and temples in different areas of the capital. Policemen and members of intelligence agencies, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were deployed to avoid any untoward incidents.

At Dhakeshwari Temple, the celebrations started with a 'Geeta Jagga' at 8:00am seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity of the country as thousands of devotees converged on the temple from early morning.

In the evening, Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee organised the historic rally and colourful procession.

Inaugurating the rally at Dhakeshwari Temple, Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka said people of all faiths in Bangaldesh have equal rights to celebrate their religious festivals.

Local lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, Maj Gen (retd.) CR Dutt, Prof Nim Chandra Bhoumik of Dhaka University and Chitta Ranjan Sarkar also spoke.

The huge procession, escorted by police and other law enforcers, paraded through different streets in old part of the city before terminating at Bahadur Shah Park.

Padabali Kirtan will also be held at Dhakeshwari Temple at 7:00pm today and discussion at 5:00pm tomorrow, sources said.

Sree Chaitanya Shikkha and Sangskritik Sangha has arranged a four-day programme, including quiz competition, discussion, cultural function and kirtan, at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, on the occasion.

Bibekananda Shikkha and Sangskritik Sangha and Baba Loknath Shikkha and Seba Sangha have also arranged separate programmes at the Jagannath Hall.

Pronab Sangha has arranged a three-day programme, including an art and book exhibition and puja, at Protidwandi Building at Shankhari Bazar.

Our Netrakona correspondent adds: a colourful procession marking the Janmastami was brought out in the town, which paraded through the main roads.

Netrakona District Puja Udjapan Parishad also organised a discussion in the town on the occasion.