Ratha Yatra, the chariot festival of Sri Jagannath Dev and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, began yesterday.
The festival will come to an end with Ulto Ratha Yatra (return journey) on July 12.
In observance of the festival, different religious bodies and temple committees took various programmes.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) chalked out a nine-day programme in Dhaka.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion of the religious festival.
The programmes of the festival began in the morning with rendering of Harisangkirtan, holding of Agnihotra Jagna seeking world peace and people’s welfare, recitation of verses from Srimat Bhagabat Geeta, distribution of mohaprosad, discussion, rendition of padaboli kirtan and arati, cultural function, staging of religious drama and screening of religious films.
The programmes of the ISKCON at Swamibagh in Dhaka started with holding of Agnihotra Jagna seeking divine blessings for world peace and people’s welfare.
In the afternoon, a discussion was organised on its premises.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon attended the discussion as the chief guest while Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder inaugurated the festival through the lighting of ‘Mongol Prodip’ (lamps).
A colourful procession was brought out from Swamibagh setting images of Sri Jagannath Dev, his brother Sri Balaram and sister Srimati Subhadra on three largely built Rathas (chariots).
