‘Mongol Shovajatra’ begins in DU

On the occasion of Bengali New Year 1431 celebration, ‘Mongol Shovajatra started from Charukola Institute of Dhaka University.

On Sunday (April 14), the Mongol Shovajatra took off at 9:30 a.m. under the leadership of Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor ASM Maqsood Kamal.

The procession will pass in front of Dhaka Club and Shishu Park and end at the Student-Teacher Center (TSC) of the University. The University authorities will finish the New Year program at 5 pm.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Mongol Shovajatra of Pahela Boishakh, the festival of Bengali life. The theme of this year's Mongol Shovajatra is 'We are whale destroyers'. The slogan of the Shovajatra is taken from the poem 'Song of Timirhonan' from poet Jibanananda Das's 'Satti Tarar Temir'.

Earlier, various masks of owls, horses, idols, tapa puppets, carved birds, portraits of various animals are prepared for the Shovajatra at around 8.30 a.m.

It is to be noted that in 1989, Mongol Shovajatra came out for the first time under the initiative of Faculty of Fine Arts. This festival of service is able to attract the attention of common people. Since then it has become an essential part of the Bengali New Year celebrations.