Rath Yatra festival unites Dhaka crowds
Thousands of devotees in Dhaka, Bangladesh, gathered to celebrate the vibrant Rath Yatra festival, marking the start of a nine-day spiritual event organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This festival honors Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and symbolizes his annual journey with siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The main procession commenced at 3:00 PM from ISKCON’s Swamibag Ashram, passing through significant landmarks such as Joykali Temple and Dhakeshwari National Temple, with participants pulling an elaborately decorated chariot while chanting traditional hymns.
To ensure safety, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police implemented extensive security measures, including the deployment of SWAT teams and bomb disposal units, along with traffic advisories and CCTV installations along the route. In addition to Dhaka, the historic town of Dhamrai also hosted a large Rath Yatra festival, featuring a 45-foot chariot and attracting thousands of devotees.
The Rath Yatra is not only a religious observance but also a celebration of cultural harmony among diverse communities. Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, ISKCON's General Secretary in Bangladesh, announced that 128 Rath Yatras would take place nationwide, with the Dhaka event being the second-largest globally. The festivities began early with a fire ritual for global peace, followed by discussions and the grand chariot procession.
The colorful procession will traverse key city points before concluding at Dhakeshwari Temple, with a return journey scheduled for July 5. Organizers expect over 100,000 participants, supported by law enforcement and trained volunteers to manage the event. The Rath Yatra, observed annually on the second lunar day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, holds significant religious importance for Hindus, originating from the renowned Jagannath Temple in Puri, India.
