Hindus and Muslims united to protect Dhakeswari Temple after Hasina government’s fall
The Dhakeswari Temple committee is now preparing for the Janmashtami festival on August 26. Hindus congregate at the temple grounds to celebrate many festivals, including Durga Puja.
"We will have a celebration here on Monday to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, and interim government 's religious affairs adviser and law affairs adviser Asif Nazrul and information adviser Nahid Islam are also expected to visit the temple that day," the priest said.
In the wake of the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government, local Hindus, Muslims, and others came together to guard the centuries-old Dhakeswari Temple in Dhaka. Despite the absence of police protection and ongoing political chaos, the community ensured the temple remained unharmed.
The Dhakeswari Temple, surrounded by mosques in old Dhaka, has long been a symbol of communal harmony. The temple's bells often blend with the nearby mosque's calls to prayer, reflecting the peaceful coexistence of different faiths. Priest Ashim Maitro emphasises that the deity is a "mother to all humans," welcoming people of all religions.
At the Dhakeswari Temple, daily rites and worship persisted in the midst of the chaos. With the help of government representatives, the temple is currently getting ready for forthcoming holidays, such as Janmashtami, signifying the restoration of normalcy and the enduring spirit of religious harmony in Bangladesh.