The Government of Bangladesh has introduced a monthly honorarium and festival allowance scheme for personnel working in mosques, temples, pagodas, churches, and other religious institutions across the country.

Janmashtami, standing as a prominent spiritual celebration for the Hindu populace commemorating the nativity of Lord Sri Krishna, is being observed nationwide today accompanied by fitting devotional fervor and jubilation.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs formally unveiled the official government and private sector Hajj packages for 2027, locking in the minimum cost at BDT 513,648 while lowering the airfare component to BDT 130,000 following an executive directive from the Prime Minister. The newly introduced framework establishes two distinct government-managed Hajj options alongside a single standardized general package for private operators.  Announcing the policy guidelines during a press briefing at the Secretariat, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad highlighted that direct intervention from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led to a BDT 24,830 reduction in flight costs compared to the previous year's pricing structure. Reflecting on recent operational achievements, the minister noted that the 2026 pilgrimage season concluded successfully, earning formal praise from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.  He attributed the disciplined execution of the management system to close executive oversight and the coordinated efforts of relevant agencies. Minister Kaikobad explained that Saudi authorities have introduced structural updates for the 2027 season aimed at streamlining operations and upgrading service standards.  Under the revised guidelines, lodging in Makkah and Madinah, regional transport, catering, tent accommodations, and field logistics have been consolidated into an integrated service framework.  The total number of available service tiers has been streamlined from four to three, with mandatory half-board catering now enforced across all tiers. Reaffirming the administration's pledge to deliver an accessible, affordable, and expatriate-friendly pilgrimage experience, the minister pointed out that round-trip air travel expenses have dropped significantly over recent cycles, falling from BDT 167,820 in 2025 down to the current BDT 130,000 threshold for 2027. Under the state-administered plans, Government Hajj Package-1 is priced at BDT 615,263. Pilgrims opting for this tier will secure lodging within one to one-and-a-half kilometers of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and inside the central Markazi area in Madinah.  The package includes Zone-2 tent placements in Mina, Service Package-3 coverage, and Moallem-managed meal service, alongside options for room upgrades and shortened itinerary durations subject to supplementary fees. Government Hajj Package-2 has been established at BDT 556,648. This tier places pilgrims within two to three kilometers of the Haram in Makkah and no further than 800 meters from Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah. It provides Zone-5 tent facilities in Mina, Service Package-3 logistics, and Moallem catering.  For properties situated beyond two kilometers from holy sites, shuttle services via Salawat buses will operate in compliance with Saudi transport regulations. For private travel agencies, the government set the baseline General Hajj Package at BDT 513,648.  Read More Dr Zubaida Honors Milestone Plane Crash Victims, Praises Community Courage Private operators must arrange lodging within three kilometers of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and within one kilometer of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah, with room occupancy strictly capped at six pilgrims. Compliance guidelines mandate Zone-5 tent assignments, Service Package-3 standards, and Moallem catering. Minister Kaikobad cautioned that private agencies are prohibited from offering packages below the government's minimum service baseline.  All approved itineraries must be published transparently on the central Hajj web portal and individual agency websites, with strict prohibitions against omitting mandatory costs such as Dam-e-Shukr, Dam-e-Qiran, or catering fees from initial quotes. In a move to assist non-resident citizens, the government confirmed that Bangladeshi pilgrims living abroad will be permitted to complete required medical screenings, obtain immunizations, and process Hajj visas directly from their country of residence.  Administrative efforts are also underway to allow overseas Bangladeshis to fly straight to Saudi Arabia without returning to Dhaka first. Formal registration for the 2027 Hajj cycle opens on September 24, 2026. Prospective pilgrims can complete preliminary registration by selecting their preferred package via the official Hajj portal and remitting a deposit of BDT 250,000, with final confirmation dependent on clearing the remaining balance before specified deadlines. Participating passports must maintain validity through December 31, 2027.  According to preliminary schedules, outbound Hajj flights will commence on April 8, 2027, ahead of the holy rituals expected to take place on May 15, 2027.

With deep religious devotion and immense enthusiasm, members of the Hindu community across Bangladesh celebrated the annual Rath Yatra festival on Thursday, marking the sacred journey of Lord Jagannath alongside his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The primary procession in the capital, featuring three massive decorated chariots carrying the deities, was organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and commenced from the Swamibagh Ashram in Dhaka at 3 pm. Collected Photo A massive crowd of devotees, comprising men, women, and children of all ages, gathered at key transit points and along the streets to catch a glimpse of the deities and pull the sacred ropes of the chariots.  The vibrant procession wound its way through several prominent areas of Dhaka, including Motijheel, Paltan, the Jatiya Press Club, the Central Shaheed Minar, and Dhaka University's Jagannath Hall. Read More 188 Flights Facilitate Return of over 68,000 Bangladeshi Hajis Beyond the capital, the colorful chariot festival was observed with equal fervor and grand processions in various districts across Bangladesh, including Bagerhat and Dinajpur. The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which stands as one of the most prominent festivals in the Hindu calendar, is also traditionally referred to as the Gundicha Yatra, Dasavatara, and Navadina Yatra. Collected Photo Celebrated annually during the Hindu lunar month of Ashar, the festival spans over a week, with the Ulto Rath Yatra (the return journey of the deities) scheduled to take place eight days later.  Historically, Rath Yatra processions are a common feature in Hindu traditions associated with Lord Vishnu—specifically centering on Jagannath, Rama, and Krishna—as well as in Shiva-related traditions, the honoring of saints and goddesses, and tribal folk religions, particularly in the eastern regions of India. With Inputs from UNB

A total of 68,297 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have successfully returned home from Saudi Arabia as of Friday, marking a significant milestone following the completion of this year's Hajj, which was held on May 26.  Providing an update on the return operations, an official stated, "A total of 188 return flights were operated by three designated carriers -- 102 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 63 by Saudia Airlines and 23 by Flynas Airlines."  According to data released by the Hajj office, 4,459 pilgrims have returned under government management while 63,838 have completed their journey back under the arrangements of various private travel agencies across the 188 recorded flights.  Breaking down the airline-specific figures, 31,981 pilgrims arrived on 102 flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 23,149 arrived on 63 flights of Saudia Airlines, 8,967 traveled on 23 flights of Flynas Airlines and an additional 4,200 Hajis returned to Bangladesh via other carriers.  The director of the Hajj office added that the remaining pilgrims are expected to arrive home gradually through these designated airlines.  Read More 66,174 Bangladeshi Pilgrims Return Home Following Hajj Regarding the health and well-being of the pilgrims, the report noted that 55 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season, consisting of 37 males and 18 females.  Of those who died, 37 passed away in Makkah, 17 in Madinah, and one in Jeddah, with no deaths reported in Mina or Muzdalifah.  Furthermore, the Hajj bulletin detailed that 415 pilgrims received necessary treatment at various hospitals in Saudi Arabia due to illnesses, and 11 pilgrims remain currently hospitalized.  Throughout the season, Saudi Arabian medical centers provided treatment to 67,086 pilgrims, while the IT help desk assisted 28,405 Hajis in Makkah and Madinah.  This year’s Hajj operations commenced with the first outbound flight on April 18 and concluded on May 21, while the return flights began on May 30 and are scheduled to continue until July 1.