ISKCON UK  
August newsletter

Your servant

Mina Sharma
ISKCON UK National Head of Media and Communications

Lord Jagannath’s Rathyatra festival was celebrated in spectacular style throughout the Midlands, in Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester. 

On Saturday 18 July, ISKCON Coventry held its first mini Rathyatra festival in the city centre, which featured the new Temple deities of Sri Jagannath, Sri Baladev and Sri Subhadra taken out on a mini Rath cart through the city. It was a huge success, with many devotees and attendees present and the sounds of kirtan throughout.

Thousands of devotees attended the grand processions of Lord Jagannath’s chariot through the city centres of Birmingham and Leicester. On Sunday 26 July, the chariot departed Victoria Square in Birmingham and made its way to the city centre and back again. The procession was followed by a festival in Victoria Square with traditional dance, music and drama, meditation area, market stalls and a free vegetarian feast. This was the 15th Birmingham Rathyatra to take place.

In Leicester, Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Lady Subhadra ascended their chariot on Sunday 2 August outside ISKCON Leicester on Granby Street to the sounds of gongs in a vibrant and tumultous Pahandi Vijaya ceremony, which is only ever seen in Jagannath Puri. This was the second year the Pahandi ceremony twas performed in Leicester, although Rathyatra has been celebrated in the city for 17 years. The procession was followed by a festival in Cossington Park, which featured stalls, performances, vegetarian prasad and interactive displays.

Kirtan has been the main focus of attention this summer for ISKCON Manchester. On 4th July, the community was excited to welcome HG Madhava Prabhu and his wife HG Radhika Mataji, who visited Manchester for the first time to take part in the 6hr kirtan event. Everyone was encouraged to take part, and throughout the whole afternoon attendees absorbed themselves in transcendental sound. By the end of the evening everyone was on their feet, dancing and chanting. 

This joyful event helped to bridge communities in Manchester together, not just the congregation, but the wider community too. Following the success of the event, Manchester devotees have been invited participate in extra Kirtans in August, details of which are included below.

On Saturday 1st August, the grounds of Bhaktivedanta Manor were buzzing with the sounds of summer fun, as the Temple hosted it’s annual family open day. 

Over 700 people attended and had the opportunity to tour the Manor grounds on carts pulled by bulls, to try on sarees, as well as learn about mediation and yoga. For the kids there was a bouncy castle, face painting and farm visits, as well as a free lunch.

Srutidharma Das, Temple President, said: “It was an amazing day and first and foremost the weather held out. The open day is a great initiative – it opens the doors to the local community so that they can come and explore what we do here. Many families spent the whole day here and had a lot of fun.”