DHAKA: Dhaka’s main streets reverted amid a merry march on Wednesday afternoon as Janmashtami, marking the occasion of birth of Lord Sri Krishna, was celebrated across Bangladesh with euphoric street parties befitting Hindu religious fervors.  

The day was a public holiday.

President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami.

Geeta recitals heralded the celebrations at Dhakeswari National Temple.
 
A huge procession was brought out in the afternoon while Krishna Puja held at night.  

President Zillur Rahman arranged a reception for the Hindu community at Bangabhaban. He welcomed the guests and exchanged pleasantries with them.

In Dhaka’s Ramkrishna Mission, special arrangement has been made. A three-day celebration is taking place at Ramkrishna Goswami Giridhari Akhra at Faridabad.

The day was celebrated in other places of the country with programmes like merry processions, discussions and distribution of educational materials among the students.

Country’s largest merry march marking Janmashtami was arranged in Chittagong. State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Huq Tuku inaugurated the carnival at 11 am releasing balloons and pigeons from a stage on a truck at Andarkilla intersection in the port city.
Inaugurating the programme, he said the “illegal military rulers” introduced sectarian politics in the country after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to serve their perverse purpose.

BDST 2020 HRS, SEPT 1, 2010.