The Janmashtami, birth festival of Sri Krishna and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, is being observed with due religious fervour and enthusiasm.
It has been mentioned in the Hindu Puran (mythology) that 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 and naughty persons to establish truth, justice and beauty in the society.
Different social, cultural and religious organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes in observance of the holy Janmashtami. The day is a public holiday.
In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami.
Besides, President Abdul Hamid will host a reception to the eminent citizens of Hindu community at Bangabhaban from 11am to 12 noon Saturday to mark the festival.
National dailies have published special articles while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting different aspects of the eventful life of Sri Krishna and activities among his disciples during the worldly days.
The Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee has taken a two-day programme at the Dhakeshwari National Temple is also marking the birth festival of Lord Krishna.
Praying for welfare of the nation and the country, Sri Sri Geeta Jagna will be held at 9pm and the traditional Janmashtami procession will be brought out from the national temple at 4pm Saturday.
Awami League General Secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam will attend the programme as chief guest. Maj Gen (Retd) CR Datta will also be present.
The procession will start from the National Temple and pass 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 end at Bahadur Shah Park in the Old City.
As part of the central programme, a discussion meeting will be organised at the national temple premises on September 11 to mark the festival.
Awami League Advisory Council Member and former minister Suranjit Sengupta will inaugurate the discussion. Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran will be present as chief guest.
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 expressed their greetings to all citizens of the country on the occasion.
