A colourful programme was organised in Sylhet to mark the Ulto Rath Yatra of Shri Shri Jagannath Dev, one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Sylhet organised a series of programmes, including Harinam Sankirtan, a discussion session, religious and cultural performances, distribution of Mahaprasad and a colourful procession.
The discussion session began at 3pm on Friday (July 24) at the ISKCON Sylhet temple with the recitation of verses from the Bhagavad Gita.
Students of the Bhaktivedanta International School run by ISKCON recited verses from the Gita under the leadership of Principal Padmalochan Shyam Das.
The event was moderated by Devamrit Nitai Das and chaired by Srimat Bhakti Advaita Navadwip Swami Maharaj, vice-president of ISKCON Bangladesh and head of the ISKCON Sylhet temple.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir attended the event as the chief guest.
In his speech, the commerce minister said, “Bangladesh is a bright example of communal harmony in the world. For generations, people of all religions have lived together with mutual respect and goodwill. If this bond of harmony remains strong, no evil force will be able to divide us.”
He further said, “Rath Yatra is not merely a religious festival; it is also a symbol of our pluralistic culture and social harmony. People of all religions have equal participation in the development of the country. Whenever necessary, the government will extend full cooperation for your religious practices and the development of temples.”
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, the chief speaker at the event, said people of all religions would live freely and peacefully in the city.
“Administrative support will continue to ensure that all religious programmes are held smoothly. Communal harmony will remain strong in the days ahead as well,” he said.
In his presidential speech, Srimat Bhakti Advaita Navadwip Swami Maharaj said spiritual values were essential for establishing peace in society.
“We pray for the welfare of all, world peace and the well-being of humanity,” he said.
Among others, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Trustee Sudip Ranjan Sen Bappu, former trustee Nihar Ranjan Das, former metropolitan BNP convener Abdul Qayyum Jalali Ponky, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nurer Zaman Chowdhury, Additional Police Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque and ISKCON Sylhet Divisional Committee Disaster Management and Social Welfare Secretary Buddhi Gour Das Adhikari addressed the programme.
ISKCON Sylhet temple General Secretary Bhagabat Karuna Das Brahmachari delivered the welcome speech. ISKCON Sylhet Grihastha Council President Sumangal Gour Das was also present.
After the discussion session, a colourful Ulto Rath Yatra procession began at 4pm with three beautifully decorated chariots carrying Shri Shri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Maharani.
The procession passed through Rikabibazar, Chowhatta, Zindabazar, Court Point, Taltala, Mirzajangal and Lamabazar before returning to the ISKCON Sylhet temple.
Thousands of men, women, children, young people and elderly people joined the procession, which echoed with the sounds of mridanga, kartal, bells, ululation and chants of “Hari.”
After the procession, devotional music, cultural performances and distribution of Mahaprasad were held on the temple premises. A large number of devotees, distinguished guests and people from different religious communities attended the programme.
