RAJSHAHI, Oct 22, 2024 (BSS) - A three-day historic Kheturdham festival (Khetur Mahotsav) began at Premtali Gourangabari in Godagari Upazila of the district amidst gathering of thousands of devotees from home and abroad from Monday evening.
 
The historical Mohotsav, one of the largest religious congregations for the followers of Vaishnava (Hindu) religion in the Indian Subcontinent, is held at Khetur and Gourangabari of Premtali under Godagari every year  marking the death anniversary of Shree Shree Thakur Narottam Das.
 
 The festival is held on the fifth day of Bengali month of Kartik and it has been observed for 452 years. Narottam was the initiator of the Kheturi Festival.
 
General Secretary of Gourangadev Trust Board Shayamproshad Sanyal opened the grand festival on Monday afternoon as the chief guest, saying that Bangladesh is an instance of communal harmony as people from all  religions have been celebrating their respective religious and cultural activities freely for long.
 
He also sought cooperation of all to keep the historical fair free from all malpractices and alien culture.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abul Hayat was present on the occasion.

 Many of the Vaishnavs arrived from far-flung districts like Chittagong.

Devotees from India, Italy, Australia and Canada who are members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) also gathered here.

It is learnt that, like the Hindu Holy places of Goya, Kashi and Brindaban, Khetur (Kheturdham) at Premtali under Godagari upazila is a holy place for the followers of Vaishnava (Hindu). Followers of Vaishnava are also Hindu by religion but they do not believe in Puja at the altars.