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

According to Hindu mythology, Krishna was born on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the Bangla month of Bhadra. His birth symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Revered for his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is seen as a guide to living a purposeful life. Hindu devotees believe that he incarnates in every age to protect the virtuous, defeat the wicked, and uphold truth, justice, and beauty in society.

The festival is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in Shraban or Bhadra. The day is a public holiday.

On the eve of the festival, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages greeting the Hindu community.

The president described Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony, saying secularism and unity are among the nation’s strengths. Noting rising conflicts and divisions worldwide over religion, he urged patience and tolerance to address the crisis. He expressed hope the festival would further strengthen harmony and goodwill in society.

In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stressed the need for conscious and responsible roles in maintaining social order, fraternity, and communal harmony. He urged vigilance so that no one can undermine the environment of unity.

Tarique also exchanged greetings with prominent members of the Hindu community and distributed honourariums among priests and sebaits at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital yesterday.

Temples, religious organisations, and various institutions have drawn up elaborate programmes to mark the occasion.

The programmes include Geeta Joggo at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 8:00am this morning. A Janmashtami procession will be brought out at 3:00pm from the city’s Palashi intersection. Krishna Puja will be held in the evening at the temple.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has also taken a three-day programme at Swamibagh Asram in the capital to mark the festival.

The programme includes recitation from Srimad Bhagavad Gita, performance of devotional songs, vog arati, distribution of mahaprashad, discussion, and cultural function.