Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, June 27, 2025 (BSS) - A nine-day Ratha Yatra, the chariot festival 
of Sri Jagannath Dev, which is one of the major festivals of the Hindu 
community, began with due religious fervour and festivity here today. 
 
Thousands of Hindu devotees gathered at selected places and joined with full 
enthusiasm the ritual of pulling chariots to celebrate the occasion. 
 
Old and young, male and female, boys and girls together joined the ritual 
amidst much fanfare. 
 
The main Ratha Yatra programme in the metropolis was held in Alupatty area in 
the city while the district programme was held in Khetur Gourangabari area 
under Godagari upazila.
 
The main journey of Jagannath Dev was brought out from rathbari to the city's 
Alupatty crossing Sunday afternoon which paraded several city streets with a 
festive mode. 
 
BNP leaders Mijanur Rahman Minu, Mosaddique Hossain Bulbul and Shafiqul Haque 
Milon and most of the front-ranking Members of Hindu Buddhist Welfare Trust 
joined the rally.
 
Thousands of Hindu community members including female and children joined in 
pulling the raths (chariot) by long ropes through various city streets. 
 
The participants attired in traditional Hindu costumes beat drums and played 
other musical instruments and walked along the streets. 
 
A large number of onlookers' of various creeds and cast were seen witnessing 
the colourful Ratha Yatra on both sides of the road. 
 
As part of the festival, a huge 'Rather Mela' is also being held on the 
three-kilometer Kalpona hall crossing to Seroil bus terminal with the 
participation of a large number of shops displaying various traditional and 
handicraft items like furniture, handicrafts, toys and sweetmeat. 
 
A huge crowd was seen thronging the fair throughout the day. 
 
Hundreds of devotees from different parts of the district as well as from 
neighboring areas assembled here to observe the century-old Ratha Yatra 
festival of the Hindu community. 
 

Members of different law enforcement agencies tightened up security measures 
averting any untoward incident for the sake of ensuring communal harmony on 
the occasion.
 
The festival will come to an end with 'Ulto Ratha Yatra' (reverse journey) on 
July 5.

In Paba upazila, the Rathyatra has been celebrated at Naohata Shib Kalimata 
Mondir. BNP leaders Prof Biswanath Sarker, Rafiqul Islam and Sentu Kumar 
Saha, Puja Udjapan Front President Pronoy Kumar Das and Naohata Mondir 
Committee President Nintu Kumar Mondal were present on the occasion.