Ananda Swarupa dasa Passes Away

BY: NANDANANDANA DASA (ACBSP)

Nov 19, USA (SUN) — Ratha-yatra in Guadalajara City, Mexico, was just celebrated last November 15 and 16. What it made it different from previous festivals was the absence of Ananda Swarupa prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who, for the past 31 years, played the role of King Patraparudra in each and every Ratha-yatra in Guadalajara, and for the past 5 years in the Ratha-yatra festivals at Mexico City.

He would be dressed in an opulent costume for the occasion and would be sweeping with an elaborately decorated broom in front of Lord Jagannatha's cart. Any devotee could participate in this activity of sweeping in front of the parade for Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Baladeva, for Their Lordship's pleasure and for one's own purification.

Ananda Swarupa prabhu left his body on the 30th of September, due to heart failure. The Ratha-yatra Festival is celebrated twice in Mexico: in May at Mexico City and during November at Guadalajara. For further information you can contact this e-mail address: comité_mandira@hotmail.com.