Dhakeshwari Temple, Dhaka – Religious
& Socio-Cultural Activities
Dhakeshwari Temple is a hub of
socio-cultural as well as religious activity. Each year, the largest
celebration of Durga Puja (the most important event in
the Bengali Hindu calendar) in Dhaka is held at the National Temple, and a
stream of dignitaries (such as the Bangladeshi President, Prime Minister,
Leader of Opposition, Members of Parliament and media celebrities) come to
felicitate the Bangladeshi Hindu community
from the temple premises. Several thousand worshippers and onlookers (including
Muslims) stream through the premises where they are offered prasad (food
– usually rice and lentils). A Bijaya Sammelani (cultural program
following Durga Puja) takes place in the adjoining parade ground a few days
after Durga Puja is complete and is also a major cultural event in the Dhaka
calendar, regularly attracting some of the top performers from the Dhaka music
and film industry.
One of the most important events
of the year is the Janmashtami procession which starts from
Dhakeshwari temple and then proceeds through the streets of Old Dhaka; this
occurs on the day of Lord Krishna's birthday, which is also a public
holiday in Bangladesh and second only to Durga Puja in importance in the Bengali
calendar. The procession dates back to 1902 but was stopped in 1948
following the establishment of Pakistan and subsequent attacks by Muslim mobs
in Dhaka. The procession was resumed in 1989. Concerts and charity drives (such
as flood relief) are also a regular fixture within the temple throughout the
year. Each year, Dhakeshwari Temple hosts major blood drives and inoculation
programs which are open to all residents of Dhaka city.
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