Dhaka: The holy Janmashtami, festival on the occasion of the birth of Hindu Lord Krishna and one of the major festivals of the Hindus, will be observed with due religious fervour and enthusiasm across the country on Thursday.

It has been mentioned in the Hindu Puran (mythology) that Krishna was born on the eighth tithi of Shukla Pakkha (fortnight of the new moon) 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 bad-naughty persons to establish truth, justice and beauty in society.

Different social, cultural and religious organisations have taken elaborate programmes in observance of the Janmashtami. The day is a public holiday.

In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted Hindus on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Besides, President Abdul Hamid will host a reception to the eminent citizens of Hindu community at Bangabhaban from 11:00am to 12:00 noon on Thursday to mark the festival.

National dailies will publish special articles while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting different aspects of the eventful life of Krishna and activities among his disciples during the worldly days.

The Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee has taken a two-day programme at the Dhakeshwari National Temple to mark the birth festival of Lord Krishna.

The programme includes prayer for welfare of the nation and the country through Sri Sri Geeta Jagya tomorrow and Sri Krishna Puja at 9:00pm. The traditional Janmashtami procession will be brought from the national temple at 3:00pm on Thursday.

Awami League Advisory Council Member and Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu will attend the programme as chief guest while Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokan will formally inaugurate the Janmashtami procession.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Huq and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mian will be present as the special guests on the occasion.

Mohanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee General Secretary Advocate Taposh Kumar Paul said the procession will march from the Dhakeshwari National Temple through Plassey Bazar, the streets beside Jagannath Hall, Central Shaheed Minar, Doel Chattar, High Court, Shikkha Bhaban, Noor Hossain Square, Golap Shah Mazar, Gulistan intersection, Nawabpur Road and Roy Saheb Bazar to end at Bahadur Shah Park in the old City.

As part of the central programme, a discussion meeting will be held at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 4:00pm on 27 August. Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry and former minister Suranjit Sengupta will attend the discussion meeting as chief guest.

In a statement, leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee today conveyed their greetings to all citizens of the country on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Police have taken adequate security measures to ensure smooth observance of holy Janmashtami in a festive atmosphere.

Police requested the devotees not to carry bags to the temples during the Janmashtami and Krishna Puja.

Police also suggested installing up CCTVs and making separate entry and exit points for men and women, said Police Headquarters AIG (media) M Jalal Uddin Ahmed.