Rathajatra begins

Rathajatra, the car festival of Sri Jagannath Dev and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, started Saturday in a befitting manner. The festival will come to an end with Ulto Rathajatra on July 26.
In observance of the festival, different religious bodies and temple committees organized various programmes.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) also chalked out a nine-day programme in Dhaka, BSS reported.
Like the previous years, the country's largest Rathajatra festival held at Dhamrai in Manikganj district.
The programmes of the festival started in the morning with rendering of Harisangkirtan, holding of Agnihotra Jagna seeking world peace and people's welfare, recitation of verses from Srimat Bhagabat Geeta, distribution of mohaprosad, discussion, rendition of padaboli kirtan and arati, cultural function, staging of religious drama and screening of religious films.
The programmes of the ISKCON at Swamibag in Dhaka started with holding of Agnihotra Jagna seeking divine blessings for world peace and people's welfare.
State minister for youth and sports Sri Biren Sikdar will attend a discussion as the chief guest at the ISKCON premises.
After the discussion, Awami League Central Working Committee member Sujit Roy Nandi will formally inaugurate the festival there by lighting "Mongol Pradeep" (lamp of welfare).
Later in the afternoon, a colourful procession will be brought out from Swamibagh setting images of Sri Jagannath Dev, his brother Sri Balaram and sister Srimati Subhadra on three largely build Rathas (cars).
Then the devotees will pull the ropes of the cars through Joikali Mandir Road Crossing, Shapla Square, Baitul Mukarram, Paltan intersection, National Press Club, High Court crossing, Doel Square, Ramna Kali Mandir, TSC, Jagannath Hall, Plassey Crossing and rounded up the Rathajatra on the premises of the Dhakeswari National Temple.