DHAKA, July 15, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced comprehensive security arrangements for the Ratha Yatra of the Hindu community, which will be held tomorrow, with thousands of devotees expected to participate in processions across the capital.

"Extensive security measures would be in place for both the Ratha Yatra and the return procession, known as Ulto Ratha Yatra," DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed earlier said after security coordination meeting. 

Police personnel will be deployed along the procession routes, supported by CCTV surveillance, foot patrols, rooftop observation teams, mobile patrol units, plainclothes detectives, SWAT members, bomb disposal teams and traffic police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the festival.

Authorities and organisers agreed that the processions would follow designated routes and adhere to scheduled timings to minimise public inconvenience and traffic disruption.

Festival organisers have also been instructed to deploy volunteers, discourage devotees from carrying bags or large packages, avoid using loudspeakers during Muslim prayer times, and immediately report any suspicious person or object to law enforcement agencies.

Describing Ratha Yatra as one of the largest religious processions in the capital, the DMP commissioner said deputy police commissioners would coordinate directly with local organising committees to ensure comprehensive security throughout the celebrations.

Representatives of intelligence agencies, the Fire Service, Dhaka South City Corporation and the Ratha Yatra organising committee attended the meeting, where police also presented an overall security and traffic management plan.

The nine-day Ratha Yatra festival will begin tomorrow with religious rituals at Swamibagh Temple. The day's programme will start with an Agnihotra Yajna at 8:00 am, praying for world peace and prosperity.

The main Ratha Yatra procession will begin at 3:00 pm from Swamibagh Ashram and proceed through Joykali Temple, Ittefaq Intersection, Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla Intersection, Paltan Intersection, Jatiya Press Club, the High Court, Doel Chattar, Shaheed Minar and Palashi Intersection before concluding at Dhakeshwari National Temple at around 7:00 pm.

The return procession (Ulto Ratha Yatra) will be held after the nine-day festival, when the chariot will travel back to Swamibagh Ashram along the reverse route.

According to ISKCON Bangladesh, Ratha Yatra celebrations this year will be organised at 128 temples and ashrams across the country. 

The festival includes Harinam Sankirtan, Mahaprasad distribution, religious discussions, Bhagavad Gita recitation, cultural programmes, devotional music and drama performances.

ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami said around 500 volunteers would assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining order during the procession. 

He said several coordination meetings had been held with the administration and police, which have assured organisers of full security support.

Apart from the main procession from Swamibagh, Ratha Yatra celebrations will also be held at Jagannath temples and other Hindu places of worship in Old Dhaka and across the country.