Muslim MP Attends Singapore Ratha Yatra 2009

BY: TATTVA VIT DAS

Jul 15, SINGAPORE (SUN) The devotees at Sri Krishna Mandir, the Hare Krsna temple in Singapore, have concluded a fabulous Ratha Yatra on the 28th of June, Sunday, at the Toa Payoh Stadium. A Muslim Member of Parliament, Dr. Fatima Lateef, became fortunate by the mercy of Lord Jagannatha to grace the festival as the Guest of Honor.

Not only did she come, but she deeply appreciated the vibrancy of the festival. “I have never witnessed such a festival in my life”, she exclaimed as she beheld the grand kirtan just prior to the chariot procession. In fact, she liked the festival so much that she was very eager to participate in the future events of Sri Krishna Mandir. She came along with her interfaith team members numbering about 25. All of them had similar remarks to make about the festival. All of them unanimously enjoyed and thrown in appreciative comments on the sumptuous Prasadam.

One peculiar thing was noticed at the onset of the festival. When the aratik was being offered to Their Lordships on the chariots just prior to the procession, high up in the air, a large eagle circumambulated the area above the chariots thrice before flying away. Every one present there took it as the blessing of Garuda.

About 5,000 people attended the grand festival this year. All of them were very visibly awestruck at the grandeur of the Ratha Yatra. Their beautiful Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra, the colorful chariots, the blissful kirtans, the sumptuous 10-course Prasadam and the transcendental books of Srila Prabhupada transported the audience to the spiritual world.

We had many plus points this year. There was a significant increase in the number of Chinese people participating in the festival. The book distribution was the best this year with about 40 copies of Bhagavad Gita As It Is sold in about 3 hours apart from many other smaller books. About 5,000 plates of 10-course Prasadam meals were distributed.

It was entirely the mercy of Lord Jagannatha and Srila Prabhupada that the festival went on so smoothly. Otherwise, how was it possible for a handful of devotees to organize a festival of such magnitude?

Jagannatha Ratha Yatra ki Jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!