Blog

The Rathayatra began at 2:30 PM, the traditional time, at the ISKCON Temple premises.  The Honorable Minister of West Bengal, Sri Goutam Dev, NB Dev.Dept. inaugurated the Rathayatra by performing arati to Their Lordships, Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadradevi, and then sweeping the road  in front of the Rath cart with a golden handled broom.  Many social and political leaders of Siliguri attended the inauguration of the procession at the ISKCON Road.

Ananda Bardhan Das, Temple Preident of ISKCON Siliguri addressed the crowd before the inaugural function.

Sankirtan and Namhatta devotees from Mayapur all joined in the Rathayatra, along with a number of other devotees from various places.

More than 25 thousands Gur-Badam, gaja packets were distributed to the crowds of devotees lining the streets from the back of two sankirtan Buses, which followed Lord Jagannath's Rath. Also our members and donors arranged
prasadam, juice, drinking water for devotees who were in sankirtan processasion in different camp troughout the route of the Ratha Yatra.

In front of the Rath, there was continuous kirtan performed by devotees.  In addition to the “harinam sankirtan”, the crowds shouted “Jaya jagannath, Jaya Baladev, Jaya Subhadra.

Local print media suggested that more than ten thousands devotees participated in processasion and hundreds  thousand citizens of Siliguri lined the streets to have a darshan of Their Lordships. Also North Bengal TV channel were broadcast the whole festival.

After the Rathayatra, prasadam was served to thousands of visitors at ISKCON Siliguri.  The temple grounds and Hall was packed with visitors on the evening and into the night of the Rathayatra day.

Now During this week long program many spiritual and cultural varieties are sheduled to be held like worshiping of Lord Jagannath, Bhajan, Aroti, Pravachan and Kirtan,dance, drama, distribution of prasadam, etc. at the festival ground (Gundicha Temple, Walfort) After 7 days programs,The return Ratha Yatra will be held on 11 July.

So again we are inviting you cordially at this festival. Your spontaneous presence, blessings will make the festival success.