Kolkata, Sept. 4 -- Janmashtami, an annual festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, was celebrated across West Bengal on Friday with religious fervour and gaiety across the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. Adhikari attended several programmes on the occasions. He attended a 'Kirtan' at the ISKCON temple in Mecheda, East Midnapore. Earlier in the day, Adhikari attended 'Sri Hanuman Katha & Divya Darbar' in Howrah's Liluah on the occasion of Janmashtami. The programme was attended by Dhirendra Krishna Garg also known as Baba Bageswar. He also took part in recital of 'Hanuman Katha' and Chief Minister listened to him while sitting among audience. Speaking on the occasion, Adhikari said: "Last year when Gita recitation was performed in Kolkata, Baba Bageswar had attended. We had received Baba's blessings and people of Bengal on the agenda of nationalism blessed us.

We are thankful to all the people. Sanatani people respect Baba. Maharaj himself said that he was not allowed to hold programmes in the state earlier (during Trinamool Congress regime). Thousands of people from Bengal were eager to listen to his bhajan."

"Those who induldged in religious conversion will be dealt with as per the provision of laws. We have introduced laws to handle those who had tortured Hindus and damaged the government properties. Our government is committed to protect the national sentiments. We have set up commission to implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC). There should be a centre of Bageswar Dham in Kolkata," Adhikari added.

Earlier in the day, Adhikari on X wrote: "On this auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all. Lord Shri Krishna descended to earth to destroy unrighteousness and establish the path of righteousness. May his boundless love and the illuminating knowledge of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita guide us all. I pray that peace, prosperity and joy enrich every household. Jai Shri Krishna".

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.