Rath Yatra festival begins Thursday

The nine-day Rath Yatra festival, one of the major religious events for the Hindu community, will begin on Thursday, July 16, at the Swamibagh temple in the capital. The festival will commence at 8:00 am with an Agnihotra Yajna for world peace and well-being. The Rath Yatra procession will leave the temple at 3:00 pm and arrive at the Dhakeshwari temple around 7:00 pm. The festival will conclude on July 24 with the Ulto Rath Yatra.

The information was shared at a press briefing at the Swamibagh temple on Monday, July 13. ISKCON Bangladesh will organise the festival.

ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami said the procession will pass through Joy Kali Temple, Ittefaq Mor, Shapla Chattar, Daily Bangla Mor, Paltan, National Press Club, Curzon Hall, Doel Chattar, Shaheed Minar and Palashi Mor, ending at the Dhakeshwari National Temple.

This Rath Yatra is known as one of the largest such processions globally after the one in Puri, Odisha. The organisers said the festival's message is social harmony, brotherhood and building a discrimination-free society.

Over 500 trained volunteers, along with law enforcement agencies, will ensure security. The organisers said they are coordinating with Dhaka Metropolitan Police and relevant authorities.