Staff Reporter:
Rath Yatra Utsab of Lord Jagannath, one of the most important religious festivals of the Hindu commu-nity, begins today.
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 colorful processions and various religious programs.
The rituals of the Rath Yatra will begin at 8 am today (Thursday) at Swamibagh Temple in the capital with an Agnihotra Yajna praying for world peace and prosperity. Later, at 3 pm, the Rath Yatra proces-sion will start from the temple and the chariot will reach Dhakeshwari Temple around 7 pm.
The festival will conclude on July 24 at 3 pm with the colorful procession of the Ulta Rath Yatra (return journey). This year, the Rath Yatra will be organized at 128 ISKCON temples and ashrams across the country, including Dhaka.
ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami said the nine-day Rath Yatra Utsab of Sri Sri Jag-annath 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.
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.
