Dhaka, August 26 – Today marks the birth anniversary and auspicious Janmashtami of Lord Krishna, a revered figure in the Sanatan Hindu community. On this special day, Hindus across Bangladesh are celebrating Janmashtami with religious fervor and joy. 

According to Hindu beliefs, around five and a half thousand years ago, Shri Krishna appeared at Canadham on the eighth tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadra during the Dwapara Yuga. Born in a prison to Devaki and Vasudeva, under the tyrannical rule of Kamsa, he is celebrated for his role in establishing righteousness, standing up for peaceful saints, and combating tyranny and injustice. Lord Krishna is worshiped as a deity who upholds truth and justice, and his teachings and actions are central to Hindu philosophy.

Today is a public holiday in Bangladesh, and the celebrations are being marked with special programming on various television channels, including Bangladesh Television and Radio. Newspapers have also published special articles to commemorate the occasion. 

However, the celebrations this year are taking place under the shadow of the recent severe floods affecting many parts of the country. In response to the ongoing crisis, the Pooja Celebration Parishad and the Metropolitan Public Puja Committee have decided to reduce the cost of the Janmashtami festivities. They have announced that instead of holding the traditional Janmashtami processions, the funds allocated for these events will be redirected to support flood victims in the affected districts.

Leaders from various organizations have issued separate statements on the occasion. BNP Acting Chairman Tarek Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir extended their greetings to the Hindu community. Ushatan Talukdar, Chairman of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, along with other prominent figures such as Professor Dr. Nimchandra Bhowmik, Nirmal Rosario, General Secretary Rana Dasgupta, President of the Puja Celebration Parishad Vasudev Dhar, General Secretary Santosh Sharma, President of the Mahanagar Sarvajanin Puja Committee Jayant Kumar Dev, and General Secretary Dr. Tapas Chandra Pal, also conveyed their best wishes for the festival and expressed solidarity with those affected by the floods.

The decision to scale back festivities and provide aid reflects the community's commitment to humanitarian values and solidarity with those in need during this challenging time.