Janmashtami celebrated in Ishwardi
Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, was celebrated in Ishwardi amid a festive atmosphere and through various programmes.
Marking the day, a colourful Mangal Shobhajatra (auspicious procession) was brought out from Karmakarpara Matri Mandir in the town on Friday, organised by the Ishwardi Upazila Puja Celebration Council.
A large number of devotees and pilgrims, including men, women and children of different ages, took part in the procession.
Devotees chanted hymns and performed kirtan in praise of Lord Krishna to the rhythmic beats of drums and traditional brass instruments. Various episodes from the divine life and pastimes of Lord Krishna were also presented through dramatic performances, with participants dressed in colourful costumes.
The colourful procession turned the entire town into a festive scene. It passed through the main streets of the town before returning to Karmakarpara Matri Mandir, where it concluded. Later, various religious rituals, including recitation from the Bhagavad Gita, were organised.
Sunil Chakraborty, president of the Upazila Puja Celebration Council, presided over the programme, while Milon Karmakar, general secretary of the organisation, conducted the event.
Among those present were Ramendra Nath Chakraborty, adviser to the Puja Celebration Council; Gopal Adhikari, general secretary of the Upazila Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council; Rajesh Saraf, general secretary of Moubarhi and Thakurbari Satyanarayan Mandir; Ashutosh Pal, president of the Upazila Hindu Mahajote; Gobinda Chowdhury, municipal president; leaders of various temple committees across the upazila; and hundreds of devotees.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna descended to Earth on the eighth lunar day (Ashtami Tithi) of the bright fortnight of the month of Bhadra during the Dvapara Yuga, with the purpose of destroying unrighteousness and restoring righteousness. Followers of the Sanatan Hindu faith observe the day as Janmashtami with religious solemnity and festive celebrations.
