With over ten thousand people taking part, this year was the biggest ever Ratha Yatra held aa Netrakona, Bangladesh. Jagannath Vallabh Temple, ISKCON Netrakona celebrated its 6th Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival from the 6th till 14th of July with grand success. Around 8 years back this centre started with only three brahmacharis- Jayram Das, Tulasi Das and Anantadev Das, simply distributing Srila Prabhupada books. No facilities for accommodation, practically going hungry at times having nothing to eat or surviving for days on puffed rice and boiled potatoes. By their hard work and beacse of their firm faith in Srila Prabhupada words and strict adherence to the instructions of their Spiritual Master Srila Subhag Swami, today the Jagannath Vallabha temple has over 35 enthusiastic brahmacharis serving full time, a moderate temple hall with a sitting capacity of 100 or more, a kitchen that can serve more than ten thousand plates of maha prasadam at a time last but not the least, a contingent of sincere and simple hearted devotees which keeps the very temple bubbling with life.
‘All activities, words, everything should be offered as a service to the Deities, and this offering wit remembering will gradually increase as you practice it.’ (SPL to Prajapati das, 16th May, 1976)
Just few back there was a terrorist attack at Gulshan, Dhaka…a blast that claimed the lives of 20 foreign nationals and injured many more. There was an air of uncertainty as to how such a grave incident would affect any festivities, especially Ratha Yatra. This would be one day after eid. Devotees could not help but pray to the Lord of the Universe, Jagannatha. Preparations continued, invitations went out and by Jagannatha’s mercy response was favourable: the police agreed to give full security, state ministers gave their approval to go ahead with the festival, even local government authorities agree to participate in the festival. This was certainly a source of great enthusiasm for all the devotees.
July 6th, 2016- The pandal was ready, chariot was decorated, prasadam prepared and ready for distribution and now the final wait…would there enough people? A fire sacrifice was arranged to invoke auspiciousness for the festival. People started to arrive. After a short while the pandal was packed up. The Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona arrived along with the Superintendent of Police and both of them released the first Ratha Yatra magazine and also gave a speech about Ratha Yatra. The Mayor and local minister also joined the festival and praised the devotees for organising such a wonderful festival which is bringing together not only the Hindus but also people of diverse faiths and giving a ray of hope in time of great calamity in the country.
‘Just like the other day we held the festival, Ratha Yatra. Chant and take prasadam. That’s all. Organize this all over the world. They will be saved. They will understand Krishna.’
(SP lecture on BG 1.10, London, July 12, 1973)
His Grace Maathuresh Das from Mayapur gave inspiring lectures on Jagannatha’s pastimes and led wonderful kirtan. With an ecstatic kirtan the deities, nicely decorated, were brought to the chariot. All the local authorities and distinguished guests were invited to offer arati to Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi. The whole area was full of people, from where they came nobody knew. After the arati, devotees started to pull the chariot.
rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate…anybody who sees the lord on the chariot does not take birth again in the material world.
The security was well arranged and even though most security personnels were from other faiths they happily took part in the festival. Chanting and dancing, everyone was in ecstasy. Reaching the Gundicha near main market the deities were taken to their resting place where a feast was organised. Back in the temple more than ten thousand visitors took Jagannatha Maha Prasadam. Vedic dramas and cultural dance added the finishing touch making the festival complete. For the next seven days the festivities continued, replete with kirtan, dramas, discourses and vedic dance..and of course prasadam. There was a competition as to who could eat the maximum amount of Jackfruit at a time. Everybody loved it and the winner was given a prize. Daily a total of one or two thousand visitors took Prasad. The team of sankirtan devotees distributed more than 200 books. On the 14th July the return ratha festival was held with almost equal enthusiasm and ecstasy. Now the devotees at the Gundicha area took lead in pulling the chariot. It was a huge festival when the deities came back to the temple after seven days. By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and previous acaryas the Ratha Yatra festival was held very nicely, without any mishap or unwanted events…and all the festivities were welcomed by all in great happiness.
We thank all the devotees who gave all sorts of assistance to make the festival successful, either it may be just sweeping the temple floor or supplying rice, vegetables and other commodities required for the festival, or preparing the garlands, arranging security or distributing prasadam….to all the wonderful devotees we offer our humble obeisances. We pray to Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra that may They shower Their immense blessings upon you and your family that you may be able to render more loving service and that your life become sublime and full of joy.
Srila Prabhupada ki jay! Jai Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra!
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