Kolkatta Rathyatra

BY: VRAJENDRANANDAN DAS

Jul 22, 2010 — NEW DELHI, INDIA (SUN) — On 13th of July, ISKCON Kolkatta organized a colorful Rathyatra starting at Park Circus Maidan. The Kolkatta Rathyatra happens to be one of the few in country where three Chariots with Lord Baladeva, Srimati Subhadra Devi and Lord Jagannath seated on them are taken on the procession. The Kolkatta temple along with Mayapur organized a very meticulous and well planed Rathyatra.

The excitement was already high in the air, but it just kept increasing by the arrival of H.H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj for the Rathyatra. He flew in all the way from Los Angeles to attend this festival. His presence inspired several devotees from neighboring cities to attend the Rathyatra.

Before the commencement of Rathyatra, H.H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, H.H. Bhakti Purusottam Swami Maharaj, H.G. Pankajangari Prabhu, H.G. Dayaram Prabhu and Sri Subod Kant Sahay (Union Minister for Food Processing, Govt of India), Sri Pradeep Jain (Minister of State, Rural Development), Sri Sovan Chatterje (Mayor of Kolkatta City) and other senior devotees and eminent personalities of the city performed arati to Their Lordships, followed by the breaking of coconut and cleaning with the Golden Broom in front of all the Chariots.

After this, H.H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj and Sri Subodh Kant Sahay addressed the devotees. The Rathyatra started at 2 PM sharp. All along the way, three kirtan parties (one in front of each chariot) and several dioramas mounted on trucks also followed the Rath. Prasadam of several varieties was served throughout the yatra. The Rathyatra concluded at Ganga Sagar Mela Grounds near the famous Eden Garden Stadium. The pandal there was artistically made and very good arrangements were made for the devotees, prominent guests and the public.

The Program was well covered by the print and electronic media, and several TV channels came along with their Outdoor Broadcasting (OB) van and telecasted the Rathyatra live. H.G. Radharaman Prabhu and H.G. Radha Vallabh Prabhu handled the PR very nicely.

In all, this is a 7-day festival, lasting till 21st July, each day with a special program and discourse by varying devotees.

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Your Servant,
Vrajendranandan das
National Communications Director
New Delhi, India