Rath Yatra festival to begin tomorrow

The nine-day Rath Yatra Utsab of Lord Jagannath, one of the most significant religious festivals of the Hindu community, will begin on Thursday.

Observed annually on the second day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashadha, the festival will feature colourful processions and a range of religious programmes across the country.

In Dhaka, the rituals will commence at 8:00 am at the Swamibagh Temple with an Agnihotra Yajna seeking world peace and prosperity. The main Rath Yatra procession will begin from the temple at 3:00 pm and is scheduled to reach the Dhakeshwari National Temple around 7:00 pm.

The festival will conclude on July 25 with the Ulta Rath Yatra (return chariot procession), which will begin at 3:00 pm. This year, Rath Yatra celebrations will be held at 128 ISKCON temples and ashrams across Bangladesh, including those in the capital.

According to Sanatan Dharma beliefs, Lord Jagannath is revered as the supreme lord of the universe, and devotees believe that receiving His blessings leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. With this belief, thousands of devotees take part in the chariot procession, pulling the beautifully decorated raths carrying the deity.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has organised a nine-day programme in Dhaka featuring Harinam Sankirtan, Agnihotra Yajna, Mahaprasad distribution, religious discussions, Padavali Kirtan, Aarti Kirtan, Bhagavad Katha, cultural performances, recitation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, religious film screenings and drama performances.

The Rath Yatra procession will be formally inaugurated following a discussion programme at 3:00 pm. BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to attend the অনুষ্ঠানে as the chief guest.

ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami said the annual Rath Yatra Utsab of Sri Sri Jagannath Dev, one of the largest religious observances for followers of Sanatan Dharma, will be celebrated nationwide as in previous years.

He said the procession will begin from Swamibagh Ashram and pass through Joykali Temple, Ittefaq Intersection, Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla Intersection, Paltan Intersection, the National Press Club, High Court, Doel Chattar, Shaheed Minar and Palashi Intersection before reaching Dhakeshwari National Temple.

The Ulta Rath Yatra will begin from Dhakeshwari Temple on the afternoon of July 25 and return to Swamibagh Ashram along the same route.

Nitai Swami said several coordination meetings had been held with the government, administration and law enforcement agencies regarding security arrangements, and authorities had assured full support for the event.

He said police and other law enforcement personnel will be deployed throughout the procession, while around 500 ISKCON volunteers will assist in maintaining order and discipline.

"There is no reason to be concerned about security," he said.

Apart from Dhaka, Rath Yatra processions will also be organised at Shree Shree Jagannath Jeu Thakur Mandir in Tanti Bazar, Ramsita Temple on Joykali Road, the Shankhari Bazar Eknam Committee and numerous other temples across the country.