BSS, Dhaka :Janmashtami, one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community marking the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, was celebrated in the country yesterday with due religious fervour and jubilation.According to the Hindu Puran (mythology), Sri Sri Krishna (Lord) was born on the eighth tithi of Shukla Pakkha (fortnight of the new moon) in the Bangla month of Bhadra and he takes birth in ages in the world to safeguard the good and pious people from the hands of bad-naughty persons to establish truth, justice and beauty in the society.The members of the Hindu community round the world celebrate the birth festival of Lord Krishna with due religious fervour, merriment and enthusiasm.On the occasion, colorful Janmashtami processions displaying the events of the life of Krishna were brought out in the capital, divisional cities and district and upazila headquarters across the country.Other programmes of the day included offering of puja, prayer and Geeta Yogya (recitation of verses from the holy Geeta), discussion meetings, cultural functions and distribution of ‘moha prasad’ and feeding the poor.Different sociocultural and religious organisations chalked out elaborate programmes in observance of the holy Janmashtami. The day was a public holiday.In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed their greetings on the occasion. President Abdul Hamid hosted a reception for the eminent citizens of the Hindu community at Bangabhaban marking the festival. Speaking on the occasion, he urged people of all religions to further strengthen the existing fraternity and friendly bonding with a view to ensuring national advancement and prosperity. “Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. People of all religions of Bangladesh have been observing their respective religions from time immemorial upholding mutual amity, cordiality and unity,” he said. Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matior Rahman was present at the reception. The high commissioner of India and ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh were also present on the occasion. The Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee has taken a two-day programme at the Dhakeshwari National Temple yesterday (August 17) and on August 22 to mark the birth festival of Lord Krishna.Praying for welfare of the nation and the country, Sri Sri Geeta Jagna was held in the morning and the traditional Janmashtami procession was brought from the national temple in the afternoon.Custodian of the national temple Pradeep Kumar Chakroborty and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed jointly inaugurated the procession by lighting ‘mongal prodeep’.President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad Kajal Debnath and General Secretary Jayanta Kumar Deb and central leaders Dr Neem Chandra Bhowmik and Swapan Kumar Saha, Mohanogori Sarbojonin Puja Committee President JL Bhowmik and General Secretary Narayan Chandra Saha Moni, among others, were present on the occasion.The processionists paraded through Plassey Bazar, the streets beside Jagannath Hall, Central Shaheed Minar, Doel Chattar, High Court, National Press Club, Paltan intersection, Noor Hossain Square, Golap Shah Mazar, Gulistan intersection, Nawabpur Road, Roy Saheb Bazar and ended the march at Bahadur Shah Park in the Old City. A discussion followed by a cultural show will be organised on the national temple premises at 4 pm on August 22 to mark the festival. Deputy High Commissioner of India Sandwip Chakroborty will inaugurate the function to be attended by Law Minister Advocate Anisul Huq as the chief guest and state minister for sports Biren Shikdar as the special guest. An extensive programme has also been taken by Baradeshwari Kalimata Mandir and Smashan Committee at Rajarbagh, Basabo and Sabujbagh areas on the occasion of holy Janmashtami.In separate statements, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad president Kajal Debnath and general secretary Jayanta Kumar Deb and Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee president JL Bhowmick and general secretary Narayan Saha Moni greeted all citizens of the country on the occasion.BSS correspondents from different places reported that Janmashtami was celebrated in divisional cities as well as district and upazila headquarters with due religious fervour and jubilation.
