DHAKA: The Hindu community is celebrating Shuva Janmashtami on Sunday 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.
Puja, discussion, recitation from Chandi, distribution of ‘prasad’ are underway at Razarbagh Borodeshwari Kalimata Temple in city’s Shabujbagh area since early Sunday where hundreds of local Hindu people joined to observe the day.

On the occasion, colorful Janmashtami processions, displaying the events of the life of Krishna, are set to bring out in the capital, divisional cities and districts.

Other programmes of the day include puja, prayer, discussion, cultural function, distribution of ‘prasad’ and feeding the poor.

Meanwhile, the law enforcing agencies took huge security measures throughout the country to ensure safety and security of Janmashtami processions.

In separate messages, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed their greetings on the occasion.

Besides, the President hosted a reception to the eminent citizens of Hindu community at Bangabhaban from 11:00am to 12:00 noon to mark the festival.

The day is public holiday.

National dailies and online news portals published special articles on the ideals of Lord Krishna while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private television channels are telecasting special programmes highlighting significance of the day.

The Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee has chalked out a two-day programme at the Dhakeshwari National Temple on August 17 and on August 22.

Sri Sri Geeta Jagna will be held at 8:00pm seeking welfare of the nation and the country and the traditional Janmashtami procession will be brought from the national temple at 3:00pm.

Custodian of the national temple Pradeep Kumar Chakroborty inaugurated the procession while Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal are likely to attend the function as chief and special guests respectively.

The procession will march 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 rounded up the march at Bahadur Shah Park in the Old City.

A discussion followed by a cultural show will be organised on the national temple primes at 4:00pm on August 22 to mark the festival.

Deputy High Commissioner of India Sandwip Chakroborty will inaugurate the function that will 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 Utjapan Parishad president Kajal Debnath and general secretary Jayanta Kumar Deb and Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee president JL Bhowmick and general secretary Narayan Saha Moni expressed their greetings to all citizens of the country on the occasion.

BDST: 1242 HRS, AUG 17, 2014