5 September 2015
Today is celebrated as Janmashtami (literally, “Birth on the 8th”), the blessed birthday of Krishna also in Bangladesh, as it is in India. According to Hindu belief Lord Krishna took birth at midnight on the ‘ashtami’ (the 8th day) of the ‘krishnapaksha’ (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadra. This year it coincides with “5th September” 2015.
Different socio-cultural and religious organizations, including Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mohanagar Sarbojoneen Puja Committee, organize various programs to mark the day. On the occasion, the devotees offer worship (puja), sing hymns to Krishna, and hold discussion, padavali kirtan, Geeta Jaggyam (special prayers), drama and cultural events at different temples of the country.
Traditionally the hindu community in Dhaka celebrates the Janmashtami with long parades/marches accompanied by chants, music and festive mood along the city roads, specially at the Old Dhaka City. The main parade starts from the Dhakeshwari Temple (for record, visited also by Indian PM Narendra Modi in his last official visit in Bangladesh), just in the middle of the Old City. The parade often is more than a mile long. People of all age come to participate. Different kinds of vehicles are decorated for the occasion and also few adorned elephants usually “join” the procession. Thanks to loud speakers almost all vehicles try to play their own Krishna songs and chants to attract others.
Many persons color themselves in blue to represent the dark complexion of Krishna. Many children are dressed as Lord Krishna and girls as Radha, and are put on “carnival floats”. It is no doubt one of the most colorful religious festivals one can imagine. People of every social class come and join to celebrate here thanks to the occasion; also Muslim population of Old City normally doesn’t miss the rejoicing. Apart from walking on foot – horse carts, open trucks, van and all kind of vehicles get filled with Krishna devotees who join the parade.
Previously published in: http://www.nelive.in/north-east/news/janmashtami-observed-dhaka