Janmashtami today

The Hindu community of the country is celebrating Shuva Janmashtami today (September 6) to mark the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna.

According to the Hindu Purana (mythology), Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth as Lord Krishna in the prison of Raja Kangsa on this day, the eighth day of ‘Shukla Pakkha’ (bright fortnight) in the month of Bengali calendar year Bhadra during the Dwapara Yuga in order to protect ‘Dharma’ from the hands of devils. Different social, cultural and religious organisations have chalked out elaborate programs to observe the holy Janmashtami.

The day of Janmashtami is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

On the eve of the festival, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extended greetings and felicitations to Hindu community members and wished success of all programmes. Temples and religious organisations and institutions have also chalked out programmes to celebrate Janmashtami festival.

National dailies publish special articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, other private TV channels and radio stations air special programmes highlighting various aspects of life and philosophy of Lord Sri Krishna.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee have taken up a two-day programme centrally at Dhakeshwari National Temple here. Manindra Kumar Nath, president of Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee said the festival will begin with Geeta Joggo at 8am at Dhakeshwari National Temple to seek blessing for the country and the nation. A historic Janmashtami procession will be brought out from Palashi intersection in the afternoon.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader will join it as the chief guest while Dhaka city south Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh will inaugurate it.

Wearing colourful dresses, thousands of devotees will join the procession. Children will be dressed up as Lord Krishna to join the event. The procession will end at Victoria Park in the old part of the city after marching through different city streets. Krishna Puja will be offered at 8pm at the temple.

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