Janmashtami on Monday

Janmashtami, the birth of lord Sri Krishna and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, will be celebrated across the country on Monday with due religious fervour and gaiety.

In the wake of novel coronavirus outbreak, this time all rituals and programs would be organized inside temples maintaining health guidelines as a decision has been taken to cancel all types of processions and rallies marking the festival, reports BSS.

Religious Affairs Ministry issued a press release on Sunday mentioning that all religious rituals will be arranged following health protocols and maintaining social distancing but processions and rallies will be kept stopped in view of the pandemic.

In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami and wished all success of the programs.

Marking the festival, Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee has drawn up elaborate programs, including Geeta Joggo, seeking blessing for the country and the nation at 8am and discussion at 2:30pm.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader is scheduled to virtually join the discussion as the chief guest.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskon) has also taken a six-day program at Swamibagh Asram in Dhaka marking the festival.

Besides, Swami Bholanandagiri Asram, Prabhu Jagadbandhu Mahaprakash Math, Radhamadhab Jio Deb Bigraha Temple, Baradeshwari Kalimata Temple and Crematorium, Radha Gobinda Jio Temple, Shib Temple, Ramseeta Temple and Madhab Gourio Math and different other temples and religious organizations will arrange different programs in the capital marking the festival.

Different religious, cultural and social organizations have also chalked out identical programs across the country in observance of the Janmashtami.

According to mythology, Sri Krishna was born on the eighth day of dark fortnight 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 malevolence people by establishing truth, justice and beauty in the society.

It is usually observed on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Sharavan or Bhadrapad.

The day is a public holiday.

National dailies will publish special articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programs highlighting various aspects of the eventful life of Lord Sri Krishna.