The Hindus bring out a procession in the capital on Thursday, marking their Ratha Yatra festival. — New Age photo

Ratha Yatra, the Festival of Chariots, of the Hindu community began in the country Thursday with thousands of enthusiastic devotees taking part in colourful processions.
The nine-day festival will conclude through Ulta (reverse) Ratha Yatra on June 29.
The festival programmes include processions, discussion meetings and village fairs in different parts of the country.
International Krishnabhabnamrita Sangha, Sri Sri Radhagobinda Jew Mandir and Sri Sri Radhakanta Jew Mandir jointly organised a nine-day programme in the city on the occasion.
The communications and railway minister, Obaidul Quader, attended the inaugural ceremony of the festival as the chief guest at Swamibagh Ashram in the city.
Speaking on the occasion, he urged all political parties to shun politics of creating panic among the people.
‘We want to give people peace. Our politics is for the common people. Therefore, we all will have to work for the common people,’ he said.
Presided over by International Krishnabhabnamrita Sangha Swamibagh Ashram president Jashoda Nandan Acharjya, the function was also addressed by Biren Sikder, MP, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad general secretary Manindra Kumar Debanath, Biresh Chandra Saha, Krishna Kirtan Saha and Charu Chandra Das.
Mijanur Rahman Khan Dipu, MP, formally inaugurated the festival by kindling a light. Then a colourful procession with three chariots began from Swamibagh and ended in front of Dhakeshwari Temple after marching through Joikali Mandir Road, Shaplachattar, Dainik Bangla, Topkhana Road, Doel Chattar, Jagannath Hall and Plassey Crossing.
The information and cultural affairs minister, Abul Kalam Azad, attended a Ratha Yatra function at Tanti Bazar in the city as the chief guest.
Later, the Ratha Yatra procession began from the Tanti Bazaar crossing and paraded through Islampur, Sadarghat, Victoria Park, Jonshon Road, English Road and returned to Tanti Bazar temple premises.
The jute and textiles minister, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, inaugurated the historic Ratha Yatra festival at Dhamrai in Savar.
Speaking on the occasion, he said Ratha Yatra was a festival of communal harmony.
The Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pankaj Sharan, was present at the function, among others.
Ratha Yatra festival was also being observed in different districts.