Rathjatra, one of the biggest of Hindu mystical celebration in Bangladesh. This fifteen days long festival held every year across the Bangladesh and India. The jatra means rally with rath (van) of Lord Jogonnath. Nowadays Rathjatra celebration is not only limited to Hindu community, becomes part of mainstream Bengali culture. The main Rathjatra festival in Dhaka has been organized by international Society for “Krishna conciousness” (ISKON). In these days, the Hindu believers worship God “Jogonath” by pulling chariots (rath).

Thousands of people join in the festival with loving heart to God and humanity. Peoples pray for indemnity of past sins and offer donation, gift, food etc with total heart and devotion. Some believers join to relief from pain of mistakes, protection from diseases however for good fortune. During running the rath, the priest share out the offering banana. The participants receive banana as “Gift of God” and “Gift of Love”. However the fellowers sing theme holy song, “Harey Kisna, Harey Raam…” . In the Dhaka, the rally generally starts from ISKON to Dhakashori Temple. After ten day the rath again back to ISKON. Generally the Rathjatra held in the month June-July that is in Bangla ‘Srabon mas ‘.

Film and edit: J. Alam. Direction: Shahjahan Siraj . Associte: Kamrul Hasan
Production: Machizo Multimedia