by
The Rathayatra festival in Dhaka is a centuries-old tradition deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Old Dhaka. Originating during the British colonial period (1757–1947), the festival saw two prominent processions in Dhaka city. One was the Jagannath Rathayatra from the Shri Shri Jagannath Jiu Thakur Temple in Tantibazar, and the other was the Lakshmi-Narayan Rathayatra from Rathkhola in Nawabpur. While the Tantibazar procession continues to thrive, the Nawabpur Rathayatra ceased after 1965. During the 1971 Liberation War, the Pakistani forces burned the Jagannath chariot in Tantibazar, but it was rebuilt post-independence, keeping the tradition alive.
Babul Das, Chief Executive of the Shri Shri Jagannath Jiu Thakur Temple Committee, states, “The Jagannath Rathayatra in Tantibazar began during British rule and continues with unwavering devotion.” He adds that during the East Pakistan era, the grandest Rathayatra in the region was held in Dhamrai, celebrating Yashomadhab, a tradition that persists vibrantly.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) introduced its Rathayatra in Dhaka in 1989, starting from the Wari Temple to Narinda Gauriya Math. In 1992, the procession extended to the Dhakeshwari National Temple. Charuchandra Das Brahmachari, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, shares, “From 1996, we began pulling three chariots, and since 2000, the Rathayatra from Swamibagh Ashram to Dhakeshwari Temple has continued.” He highlights the introduction of a foldable chariot, which captivated thousands of devotees by being adjustable for overhead cables.
Held annually on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadh, the Rathayatra is a vibrant blend of tradition and culture, rooted in Sanatani rituals. This year, the Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee reports that ten chariots will be pulled across the capital. According to the Skanda Purana, the festival traces its origins to the Satya Yuga, when King Indradyumna established the worship of Lord Jagannath. Originating from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, this tradition has now spread globally. In Dhaka, the colorful festivities add a unique dimension to the city’s cultural life, uniting communities in celebration.
AI/MR
