Sri Sri Jagannathdev's Rath Yatra festival, one of the religious events of Sanatan Dharma followers, is starting today Sunday (July 7). According to traditional custom, Jagannathdev's chariot journey begins every year on the second tithi of the Shukla Paksha of Chandra Ashadha.

Rath Yatra Mohotsav of Sri Sri Jagannath Dev has been organized for 9 days in a joyful atmosphere with various religious programs including colorful processions.

The festival will end with a colorful Uloto Rath procession on July 15 at 3 pm.

According to Sanatana religionists, Jagannathdev is the Nath or Adhiswara of the world. Jagat is Vishwa and Nath is God.

So Jagannath is the God of the universe. People get liberation by getting his grace. He does not have to take birth again as a living being. It is from this belief that Sanatan religious people travel with the chariot by placing the image of Jagannath Dev on the chariot.

On the occasion of the auspicious Rath Yatra, the International Krishna Consciousness Sangh (ISCON) organized a 9-day event in Dhaka.

The programs include Harinam Sankirtan, Vishwa Shanti and Mangal Kamanaya Agnihotra Yajna, distribution of Maha Prasad, discussion meeting, procession, Padavali Kirtan, Aarti Kirtan, Bhagavad Katha, cultural program, Srimad Bhagavat Gita reading, religious film screening and religious drama staging.

Rath Yatra festival will be started today with Agnihotra yajna for world peace and prosperity at ISKCON Ashram. After the discussion meeting at 1.30 pm, the colorful chariot procession will be inaugurated at 2.30 pm.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan will be the chief guest in the discussion meeting. Indian High Commissioner Prannoy Verma will inaugurate the procession.

Apart from this, local member of parliament Saeed Khokon will be present in the event. On July 11 and 12, Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen and Lands Minister Narayan Chandra Chand.

The chariot procession starts from Swamibagh Ashram and passes through Jaykali Temple-Ittefaq Square-Shapla Square-Dainik Bangla Square-Rajuk Bhavan-Gulistan-Police Headquarters-Government Employees Hospital-High Court Shrine-Dowell Square-Ramana Kali Mandir-TSC Square-Jagannath Hall and Palashi. End by going to Sri Sri Dhakeswari National Temple.

On the afternoon of July 15, a colorful procession of upside-down chariots will be brought from Dhakeshwari Temple to Swamibagh Ashram on the same route.

ISKCON President Satyaranjan Barai said, this year too Rath Yatra will be held in a festive atmosphere. Law and order forces including the police will be engaged in the procession.

Adequate security has been promised by the government to make the festival a success. Apart from this, own trained volunteers will be engaged in security on the occasion of processions and festivals.

He said that people of all castes and religions can participate in the Rath Yatra.

Rath Yatra is known by different names. Jagannath Dev's Rath Yatra takes place from the temple of Jagannath Dev in Puri. Rath Yatra is also a sacred festival of Hindus in Bangladesh. In Dhaka's Dhamrai, it is known as Yasomadhava's Rath Yatra.

Rath Yatra of Manikyamadhava at Joydevpur in Gazipur. The Rath Yatra of Jasomadhava of the Indian state of Odisha and the Rath Yatra of Jagannath Dev of Mahesh are also famous in the subcontinent. Rath Yatra is widely practiced in the eastern states of India.

Apart from this, Rathtan will also be held at Jagannath Jiu Tagore Temple of Tantibazar in Old Dhaka, Ramsita Temple at Jaykali Road and Shankharibazar Eknam Committee and other temples of the capital and various temples of the country.