Rath Yatra Utsab to begin tomorrow

The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, one of the most significant religious festivals of the Hindu community, will begin tomorrow with devotees expected to participate in celebrations and processions across the country.

According to traditional customs, the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is observed every year on the second day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashadha.

The nine-day festival will be celebrated in a festive atmosphere with colourful processions and various religious programmes.

The rituals of the Rath Yatra will begin at 8 am tomorrow (Thursday) at Swamibagh Temple in the capital with an Agnihotra Yajna praying for world peace and prosperity. Later, at 3 pm, the Rath Yatra procession will start from the temple and the chariot will reach Dhakeshwari Temple around 7 pm.

The festival will conclude on July 25 at 3 pm with the colourful procession of the Ulta Rath Yatra (return journey). This year, the Rath Yatra will be organised at 128 ISKCON temples and ashrams across the country, including Dhaka.

Followers of Sanatan Dharma believe that Lord Jagannath is the Nath or Adhiswar of the world. They believe that by receiving His grace, devotees attain liberation and are freed from the cycle of rebirth.

Based on this belief, devotees begin the chariot journey carrying the idol of Lord Jagannath on the decorated raths.

The nine-day programme organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Dhaka includes Harinam Sankirtan, Agnihotra Yajna for world peace and prosperity, Mahaprasad distribution, religious discussions, processions, Padavali Kirtan, Aarti Kirtan, Bhagavad Katha, cultural programmes, Srimad Bhagavad Gita recitation, religious film screenings and drama performances.

The Rath Yatra procession will be inaugurated at 3 pm after a discussion programme. BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend the event as the chief guest.

ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami said the nine-day Rath Yatra Utsab of Sri Sri Jagannath Dev, one of the major religious events of Sanatan Dharma followers, will be celebrated this year as well.

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

The return Rath Yatra will begin from Dhakeshwari Temple on the afternoon of July 25 and conclude at Swamibagh Ashram following the opposite route.

Nitai Swami said several meetings have been held with the government, administration and police authorities regarding security arrangements, and they have assured all-out security support.

He said law enforcement agencies, including police, will be deployed, while 500 ISKCON volunteers will remain on duty to maintain discipline during the procession.

He added that there is no reason to be concerned about security.

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

Source: BSS