The small town of Anchorage, Alaska, was filled with excitement on April 27, 2023, as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness devotees organized the first ever Rath Yatra festival in the area. The event was the culmination of preparation by the devoted volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring the ancient festival to the modern world.
Anchorage, a city located in Southcentral Alaska, is known for its beautiful scenery, stunning glaciers, and diverse wildlife. It is home to more than 300,000 people and is the largest city in the state. Despite its size, the town had never witnessed a Rathayatra festival until now.
We faced many challenges as we worked to bring the festival to Anchorage, including finding the right location, arranging Lord Jagannath’s rath cart, and obtaining the required resources.
HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami also made a special arrangement to assist in the promotion of the festival in the area. He was very enthusiastic about attending the preaching program, which included book distribution, prasadam distribution, and a small Radha Madhav boat festival.
On the 25 th of April, we went to promote the Rathayatra and distribute books at Denali National Park. The park is a four-hour drive from Anchorage. On the 26 th of April, we hosted a boat cruise for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Madhava. We offered bhoga on the boat. The cruise lasted from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. The sound of sweet kirtan reverberated across the sea as the boat made various stops to appreciate the snow, hills, and lakes.
On the last day, the 27 th of April, we hosted the Rathayatra festival. The ecstatic kirtan was accompanied by book and prasadam distribution. The inspiration for the festival came when I was in Hawaii on 14th January and Ramanuja Prabhu told me that HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami would be visiting Alaska and I immediately asked him to book me a flight for Alaska.
We stayed in contact, and I came up with the idea for the first ever Rathayatra in the town. Maharaja also had a contact there, Sudevi Dasi. Isend the Jagannatha Deities, including Sri Sri Radha Madhava with altars, karatals, Deity dresses, jewelry, aratik paraphernalia, and books to her house.
On the 24 th of March, Ramanuja prabhu, Uttam Prabhu and Sridham Prabhu from Atlanta, Vraja Raman prabhu and Sanjay Anand Krishna Prabhu from Seattle, Chaitanya Nitai Das from DC and myself Lakshmanesvara Das
(Lakshman Poddar) from New Vrindaban, HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami, and Sachikumar Prabhu from Mayapur flew to Alaska. Sudevi Mataji, her husband, and two more friends of hers from Alaska built the beautiful Ratha cart.
Despite the challenges, the festival was a grand success, and the local residents warmly greeted the festivities in the snow capped environs. The Rath Yatra procession, which featured a beautifully decorated chariot, captivating music, and joyous chanting, was the highlight of the event. The locals were fascinated by the unique and colorful celebration, and many expressed their desire to learn more about the ancient Vedic culture of India.
The devotees were delighted to see the positive response of the people, and local students cordially invited them to return with promises to make the festivities even more grand. The success of the first Rathayatra festival in Anchorage has given hope to the devotees, who believe that it is just the beginning of a journey to spread the message of Lord Jagannath’s love and compassion throughout the region.
“Our main business is to distribute my books and people will come gradually. Everything should be done for that purpose.” (Letter to Ramesvara, 7 Nov 1976)
“Our general plan is always the same – chanting, dancing and distributing prasadam.” – Letter to Syamasundara, 25 Feb 1970
This is how all of Srila Prabhupada’s desires are fulfilled simply by organizing Rathayatra festivals.
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=108602
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