ISKCON's Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Udupi and Mangalore

BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENTS

Mar 21, UDUPI, INDIA (DAJIWORLD) — The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Udupi chapter will take out a Jagannath Rath Yatra, in the style of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra on March 22, said ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupadas and senior disciple Teijays Das.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Teijays Das said that the Rath Yatra in Udupi, which houses the famous Sri Krishna Mutt, will gather around 250 devotees from abroad and ISKCON Guru Jayapataka Swamy will grace the Rath Yathra.

The Yathra will commence from Gita Mandir at 3 pm and will pass through Kalsanka, city bus stand and K M Marg and then proceed to taluk office circle and back to Dian Circle and reach Rajangana at 6.30 pm, where prasadam will be served to all. There will be cultural and spiritual performances at Rajangana.

“Rath Yatra is ISCKON’s biggest street festival which features huge wooden chariots pulled by hand accompanied by drums, cymbals, singing, chanting, and dancing,” he said.

President of ISKCON Udupi Chapter Ananda Gourang Dasa, congregational director Narayana Gouranga Dasa, students’ preaching director Dr Shiromani Devi Dasi were present at the press meet.

In the news in Mangalore: ISKCON to take out Jagannath Rathayathra in Mangalore

Addressing newspersons on Wednesday President of ISKCON, Mangalore said that ISKCON yearly holds Jagannath Rath Yathras all over the world in such major cities as Moscow, London, New York, Paris, Los Angels, Rome and in India at Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, New Delhi, Coimbatore, Bangalore etc. The special attraction of this festival is the participation of Safari group of devotees(devotees from 50 different countries who are traveling Indian holy places) who will perform Bhajan, Kirthan during the procession. The will be arriving on 22nd March at Mangalore Railway Station at 10 am, he added.

He also informed that starting from Bunts Hostel Circle 23rd March at 3 pm, Lord jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra will alight up on a 30 feet high chariot which is hydraulically controlled. The procession will go through Kadri Road, Mallikatta, St.Agnes Road, Collectors Gate, Jyothi Circle and ends at Bunts Hostel Circle at 6 pm, he said.

The inaugural function of Rathotsava will be blessed by His Holiness Sri Jayapataka Swami Maharaj (Iskcon Guru and Governing Body Commissioner). The Chief Guest will be Sri Srinath Hegde, President, Bunt?s Alias Nadavara Mathr Sangha, Mangalore.

The cultural programme at 6.30 pm in Bunts Hostel, A.B. Shetty Hall will include Pravachan by His Holiness Sri Jayapataka Swami Maharaj from USA, His Holiness Bhakthi Siddantha Maharaj from Australia, His Holiness Vrajendra Nandana Maharaj from Malyasia, Kirthan, Bhajan and drama by devotees from around the world.