Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Sri Krishna and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, is being celebrated across the country with due religious fervour and gaiety.
In the wake of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, this time all rituals and programmes have been arranged inside temples maintaining health guidelines as a decision has been taken to keep stopped all types of processions and rallies marking the festival.
Religious Affairs Ministry issued a press release here today mentioning that all religious rituals will be arranged following health protocols and maintaining social distancing but processions and rallies will be kept stopped in view of the pandemic.
In separate messages, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami and wished all success of the programmes.
Marking the festival, Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee has drawn up elaborate programmes, including Geeta Joggo, seeking blessing for the country and the nation at 8am and discussion at 2.30pm.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader will virtually join the discussion as the chief guest.
Besides, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, AL Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil and daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta will also join it.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) has also taken a six-day programme at Swamibagh Asram here marking the festival.
Besides, Swami Bholanandagiri Asram, Prabhu Jagadbandhu Mahaprakash Math, Radhamadhab Jio Deb Bigraha Temple, Baradeshwari Kalimata Temple and Crematorium, Radha Gobinda Jio Temple, Shib Temple, Ramseeta Temple and Madhab Gourio Math and different other temples and religious organizations will arrange different programmes in the capital marking the festival.
Different religious, cultural and social organisations have also chalked out identical programmes across the country in observance of the Janmashtami.
According to mythology, Sri Krishna was born on the eighth day of dark fortnight 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 malevolence people by establishing truth, justice and beauty in the society.
It is usually observed on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Sharavan or Bhadrapad.
National dailies will publish special articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting various aspects of the eventful life of Lord Sri Krishna.
