Janmashtami, a major festival of the Hindu community marking the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, will be celebrated across the country today with due religious fervour and gaiety.

However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, all rituals and programmes will be arranged inside temples where health safety guidelines are expected to be maintained. A decision has been taken to cancel all processions and rallies this time. 

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The religious affairs ministry issued a press release yesterday saying that all religious rituals will be arranged following health protocols and maintaining social distancing but processions and rallies will be halted due to the pandemic.

The day is observed as a public holiday.

In separate messages, President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other distinguished personalities and organisations greeted the members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami and wished success of the programmes arranged for the day.

Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee has drawn up elaborate programmes, including Geeta Joggo — seeking blessing for the country — at 8:00am and a discussion starting at 2:30pm.

Obaidul Quader, road transport and bridges minister and also Awami League general secretary, will virtually join the discussion as the chief guest.

Besides, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, AL Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil and daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta will also join the programme.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) has also arranged a six-day programme, starting today, at Swamibagh Asram here.

Different religious, cultural and social organisations have also chalked out identical programmes across the country for Janmashtami.

According to Hindu mythology, Sri Krishna was born on the eighth day of a dark fortnight in the Bangla month of Bhadra and he takes birth in ages in the world to safeguard the good and pious people from the hands of malevolence by establishing truth, justice and beauty in the society.

National dailies will publish special articles while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting various aspects of the eventful life of Lord Sri Krishna.