Followers of the minority Hindu faith held prayers and took out processions in Bangladesh on Monday (August 26, 2024). This is the biggest Hindu festival since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government earlier this month.

Temples in Dhaka and in other cities held Kirtan and Geeta Yagya as thousands of Hindus were seen visiting temples and offering prayers.

The mood of the festival, which is a public holiday in Dhaka, was set by Chief Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who appeared on TV on Sunday (August 25, 2024) evening for a national address and assured that citizens of Bangladesh will not be discriminated against on the basis of religion or political beliefs.

Apart from the Dhakeshwari temple of Dhaka, celebrations have been reported from Chittagong, Rangpur and other areas of Bangladesh, though the festivity in the eastern districts of Brahmanbaria, Comilla and Feni has been dampened because of the floods.

Also Read: Tripura dam didn’t cause Bangladesh floods: India

In many places, the festival committees pledged financial support to the flood-affected regions in the east. In many festival spots, representatives from the biggest opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s cadre were seen helping with the organisational work.

The celebrations of Sri Krishna Janmashtami came twenty-one days after the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which coincided with reported attacks on the minority communities of Bangladesh. The spirit of brotherhood generated by Prof. Yunus’ speech was, however, dented later in the evening when a large group of student protesters, the predominant political group in post-Hasina Bangladesh, clashed with the paramilitary Ansar employees.

Ansar members had been protesting, seeking regularization of their services. By various accounts, around six million members of the Ansar group were hired during the Sheikh Hasina years.

Also Read: Bangladesh’s interim government focused on improving law and order situation, says new security adviser

Later during Sunday (August 25, 2024) night, the students held a press meeting in which they accused the Ansar group of being pro-Hasina and accused the Indian authorities and Ms. Hasina of provoking the paramilitary to launch the attack.

On the other hand, Prof. Yunus has urged all sections of Bangladesh society to desist from launching protests in order to press their demands and requested the pressure groups to give written statements seeking resolution of problems.

New Delhi:

People across the country are celebrating ‘Janmashtami’ today, which is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Devotees flocked to temples from the morning, which were decked up with colourful floral decorations and lights. 

Here are some glimpses of how people are immersed in Janmashtami celebrations across the country:

• The Mangarh Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh was lit up on the eve of Janmashtami. 

• Artists performed during a programme at the Krishna Janmasthan Temple in Mathura. 

• A procession at Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir) in New Delhi had artists celebrating Janmashtami, being dressed up as Lord Krishna and Radha. 

• People were spotted with idols of Shri Krishna, in Nagpur. 

• Several devotees gathered at the ISKCON temple in Hyderabad for darshan. 

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers and performed aarti Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura. 

Several political leaders from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have extended their warm greetings on the occasion.

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended greetings on the occasion of Janmashtami and said that we must imbibe the teachings of Lord Krishna and work for the nation’s progress.

In a post on X, President Murmu wrote, “I greet all my countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. This festival inspires us to be dedicated to the divine ideals of Lord Shri Krishna. On this occasion, let us imbibe the teachings of Lord Shri Krishna and pledge to work for the progress and prosperity of the country.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his wishes to the people on Janmashtami. On X, PM Modi wrote, “Wishing you all a very Happy Janmashtami. Jai Shri Krishna!”

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also extended wishes and posted on X, “Hearty wishes and congratulations to everyone on Shri Krishna Janmashtami. I hope that this festival of joy and happiness fills the life of all of you with new enthusiasm and excitement.”

On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, devotees flocked to various temples across the country to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday with full pomp and show on Monday.

The sound of bells, mridangs, and conch shells echoed across the temples in the country.

The entire nation is immersed in the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, with temples decorated with colourful lights and flowers on the festive occasion.

Devotees gathered in huge numbers for the Darshan of Lord Krishna at Ahmedabad’s ISKCON Temple on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami.

In Mathura, morning aarti was performed at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple on this occasion. Women devotees at Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple expressed joy on the occasion chanting songs dedicated to Lord Krishna.

On the security arrangements for the Krishna Janmashtami in Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura Superintendent (Security) Bajrang Bali Chaurasia informed that more than 2000 security personnel have been deployed in the region.

Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 26 this year across the country. Devotees traditionally fast and decorate temples and homes with flowers, diyas, and lights.

The occasion is particularly grand in Mathura and Vrindavan, where it is believed that Krishna spent his youth and childhood.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Janmashtami is celebrated with utmost joy and fervour by the devotees of Lord Krishna. The day, also known as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti and Sree Jayanthi, marks the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day, devotees observe fast and seek blessings for the wellbeing of their family. This year, the festival falls on September 6 and 7.

Here are some wishes and messages that you can share with your friends and family on this occasion:

• India celebrates the festival of Janmashtami with enthusiasm. From little Kanhaiya’s jhula to dahi handi’s joy, Janmashtami is full of fun and happiness.
• May the sweet melodies of Lord Krishna’s flute fill your heart with boundless joy and serenity. On this auspicious Janmashtami, may your life be graced with love, happiness, and inner peace.
• Embrace the devotion of Lord Krishna on this Janmashtami and experience divine bliss. May your celebration be a journey towards spiritual fulfilment and enlightenment.
• May your life be adorned with virtues such as wisdom, love, and the ability to face challenges with grace, just as Lord Krishna exemplifies. Shine brightly with positivity and kindness.
• Krishna’s teachings continue to be a source of timeless wisdom and enlightenment. May you find enduring inspiration and guidance in his divine words. May his wisdom shape your choices.
• May you find strength in Lord Krishna’s teachings and find the courage to overcome life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
• Wishing you a Janmashtami filled with devotion and love for Lord Krishna. May his divine presence always light up your life.
• May Lord Krishna’s journey inspire each action of your life, and may you apply his teachings to navigate your own path with courage and grace. Happy Janmashtami.
• On this auspicious day of Janmashtami, may your heart be filled with the divine love of Lord Krishna, and may his blessings shower upon you.
• May Krishna’s eternal love and grace enrich your life not just today but on every day of your life’s journey. Happy Janmashtami.