Geshy Singh
The Festival of the Chariots which is also referred to as Ratha Yatra, is literally translated to Chariot Festival. Ratha Yatra originated 5,000 years ago in India, on the East Coast state of Orrisa, in a city called Jagannatha Puri.
It celebrates the return of Lord Krsna to Vrndavan, India 400BC when the initial chariot carrying the Lord was pulled by his closest devotees. So, this pulling of the chariot symbolises the pulling of the Lord into one’s heart! Since then it celebrated throughout the world in huge merriment and opulence!
Interestingly the word ‘Hindu’ does not appear in a single original scripture, the correct term is vaisnava. Vaisnavism can be traced back to the first millennium BC according to modern historical documentation.
However AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada began the International Society of Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966 when he travelled from India to the New York with one dollar to his name to propagate the holy name of the Lord on the instruction of his spiritual master.
ISKCON is basically an umbrella for devotees to ensure that the standards and principals followed are directly from the original scripture to prevent the vaisnava way of life from being watered down with opinions and wrongful changes.
While there are many gurus known from many sects and cultures, he is accepted as the bona fide guru as he forms part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya tradition that traces back from time immemorial directly to when Bramha spoke to Manu.
Guru as per scripture is not God but here to enlighten us on how to return to Godhead! To date there are ISKCON temples throughout the world from New Zealand to Russia to Washington DC to Singapore all propagating bhakti; the love of God!
The essence of Krsna Consciousness is the same as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and every other religion, to love and serve humanity for the pleasure of God! To live by values and morals and non violence in though word and deed to all living creatures!
To not judge each other but rather have compassion for each other as we are all fallen and struggling souls. And to see each other as souls and not merely physical and material bodies. To remind us that it is not life but rather death that is certain!
We can all leave our body in any given moment so why not prepare for the eternal after life as opposed to this temporary material life which is the very cause of our sorrows, ill health and material problems. So we see that Hare Krsna philosophies are universal hence are embraced throughout the world by people of all races and colour!
Many of you are familiar with the George Harrison and the Beatles being followers of this ancient philosophy as well as the Hendry Ford and family to mention a few. Estcourt is blessed that we are currently constructing our very own ISKCON temple to spread the ancient philosophy of peace, love and God consciousness!
On March 18 there will an exciting procession were the entire community is invited to pull the Divine chariot and part take in the dancing and singing as well as a sumptuous feast for lunch at the town hall, books to purchase for more information, a meditation tent and much more!
This is an open welcome to the entire town of all races and religion to please join us in the festivities and note that admission is free. Kindly contact Madan Mohan on 079 717 6408 for any further information. We look forward to seeing you there!
Source:http://estcourtnews.co.za/38886/india-new-york-prague-estcourt/
Comments