Mahatirtha Snanotsabh
Thousands of pilgrims from home and abroad joined Mahatirtha Snanotsabh, a traditional holy bath of Hindus, at Brahmaputra River at three kilometre-long holy pilgrimage site of Langalband in Narayanganj early hours of Saturday.
Pilgrims are participating in the ritual of self-purification by taking an Ashtami bath in the Brahmaputra River as the festival began at 2:08am on Saturday and would continue till 12:51am on Sunday.
Home affairs adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited the holy site on Saturday morning.
District administration and police officials were also present on the occasion.
Extensive preparations were taken for ensuring safety of pilgrims as 1,500 members of the law enforcement agencies were deployed while medical facilities, sufficient toilet facilities and pure water supply have also been ensured, said deputy commissioner Md Zahidul Islam Miah.
Immediately after the start of the Tithi, a stream of pilgrims descended on the Langalband area as the entire pilgrimage site on the bank of river Brahmaputra has been bustling with the footfall of thousands of pilgrims from different regions.
Authorities made arrangement for taking bath at 20 ghats, including Nalit Mohan Sadhu Ghat, Annapurna Ghat, Rajghat, Makri Sadhu Ghat, Gandhi Ghat, Bhadreshwari Kali Ghat, Joykali Mandir Ghat, Rajghat, Rakshakali Mandir Ghat, Pashan Kali Mandir Ghat, Premtala Ghat, Mani Rishipara Ghat, Brahma Mandir Ghat, Dakshineswari Ghat, Panchpandab Ghat and Paresh Mahatma Ashram Ghat.
A committee was formed to organise ‘Mahatirtha Langalband Snanotsabh’.
Joy K Roy Chowdhury Bappi, general secretary of the committee, said that the district administration made special security measurers compared to previous years.
Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah said that overall arrangements were made for smooth performance of the ritual.
