ISCKON Adelaide celebrated its 6th Annual Rath Yatra on the 26th of January, 2019 as part of the Australia Day Parade. After years of trying to have its own ratha, they finally procured a decrepit one from ISKCON Perth. As the chariot (chassis of an old truck), was too big and dilapidated, planning, reconstruction and restoration of the chariot began in earnest fashion as soon as it landed in Adelaide. The chariot had to be downsized too as the council had set legal limits on its height at 4.2 meters due to tramlines crisscrossing the city. Engineering works were brought to a halt soon after starting, when our friendly welder Antonio Rodrigues of Portuguese descent, who has a soft spot for India and its culture, fell victim to a minor industrial injury. Antonio, however, was not one to be discouraged easily, so he vowed to finish the job as promised. With the expertise of in-house handymen viz Bhakta Gary Paech and HG Govardhana dasa, the chariot was refurbished, spruced up and painted with a myriad of colors transforming it into an alluring carrier. Our temple regulars, the Khatarias of Baba’s Tailors, did the teamwork for a new canopy which added attraction to the cart. Having modified the chariot, we were now able for the first time to parade all three deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Mayi. HG Veda Vyasa Prabhu and his team took a few days to dress the deities in royal regalia which added a conspicuous element of splendor to Their image.
The weather was another criterion that we had to worry about. The parade organizers had categorically stated that if the temperature went beyond 40°C the parade would definitely be canceled. However, Surya, Saranyu and Varuna were all at their best behavior to please Their Lordships. When the parade was about to begin, the crowd jostled to grab the ropes at vantage positions in preparation for the spiritual cavalcade. Soon the chariot began to move to the accompaniment of tumultuous sounds of chants, drums and karatalas. Sounds of “Jai Jagannath! Jai Baldev! Jai Subhadra!” reverberated the air throughout the journey. About 50 devotees began pulling the chariot whilst a troupe of matajis began to dance to the rhythm of kirtana led by Adi Purusa Krsna dasa to the accompaniment of various instruments. Bhakta Anand Lakshmanan was at the forefront directing the speed and course of the chariot at the same time communicating with the traffic marshals entrusted with the safety of the crowd. The onlookers cheered and clapped as the colorfully decorated chariot wound its way through the main streets of Adelaide. For Their parts, Their Lordships displayed loving exchanges with Their enchanting smiles and indomitable glances electrifying the moment. When the chariot reached its final destination, sumptuous Krsna prasadam was freely distributed to the participants and curious onlookers.
The organizers and volunteers had struggled for weeks if not months under the stewardship of Bhakta Anand Lakshmanan, the Ratha Yatra coordinator, to pull off this festival, wanting to make it the best one ever and the hard work paid off. In fact, we were awarded ‘Most Creative Award 2019’ by the organizers of the Parade in recognition of our efforts. Now we are planning to spread the mercy of the ‘Transcendental Trio’ to other parts of Adelaide by participating in various celebrations like Christmas Pageants, parades, processions etc.
Jagannatha Swami ki jai!
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