SM Akash, Chattogram Bureau

The mega bathing festival (Snana Jatra) of Sri Sri Jagannath Deb was held at Nandankanon on Tuesday noon under the auspices of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The event was inaugurated by ISKCON Bangladesh Senior Vice President Sreemad Bhaktipriyam Gadadhar Goswami Maharaj, also Principal of ISKCON Rangpur. Former Deputy Finance Secretary of Central Awami Jubo League Helal Akbar Chowdhury Babar spoke as a Special Guest.

In his address, he said, “A special bathing festival (Snana Jatra) of Jagannath Deb is arranged during full moon period of Bangla month of Jaishtha to make the moment of his appearance as a memorial event. According to ‘Puran,’ it was King Indradunna who established it and from then on the ritual is being practised  as Jagannath Deb’s bathing festival (Snana Jatra). The day is celebrated as a moment of appearance or birthday of Jagannath Deb.

“Bangladesh is a non-communal state. Bangladesh is moving forward at an irresistible speed under the courageous leadership of Janonetri (people’s leader) Sheikh Hasina. Janonetri Sheikh Hasina has created a rare example of building Bangladesh as one of the militancy-free non-communal states in the world.”

“We are all Bengalees irrespective of religion and race—it is our major identity. It is the ideal of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I cherish this ideal in my heart.”

Among others, Sreeman Chinmoy Krishna Das, Secretary of Chattogram Divisional ISKCON, Sreeman Pandit Gadadhar Das, Principal of Nandankanon Sree Sree Radhamadhob Mondir (temple) and Goura Nitai Ashram, Sreeman Taron Nityanando Das, General Secretary of Nandankanon Sree Sree Radhamadhob Mondir, Councillor Pulak Khastagir, Woman Councillor (Reserved seat) Nilu Nag and others.