Festival of art and cultural carnival and ogoh-ogoh annual parade enliven the streets of Semarang, Sunday (25/3). Spatter rain did not dampen the intention of residents and tourists to enjoy the event. The purpose of this event is one, stimulating creativity of art and culture across religions, and the most important thing is to knit togetherness in diversity. Because those who join here were not just Hindus, just because ogoh-ogoh is their specialty. But there were also Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, Khong-hucu and Believers who were represented by MLKI (Majlis Luhur Pengha-Yat Kepri against God YME) and also Jagannath Ratha yatra participated on the event. All belong to Indonesia.
“For the present you endeavor to make Ratha-yatra festival grand and successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighborhood people may be attracted to join the procession.” (SPL to Upendra, 1st June, 1968)
Devotees in Semarang and nearby lead by Sundar Krishna prabhu and his wife, and bakta Mangku prepared the festival. They prepared the based camp and other paraphernalia that needed on the festival. Devotees from Jogjakarta, under Garuda prabhu and Subhananda prabhu coordinated the devotees to prepare the chariot from Jogjakarta. A day before the parade the chariot arrived in Semarang. The chariot team worked extra to prepared to reassemble the chariot and decorated the it with its paraphernalia. The flowers vendor arrived with the flowers bucket in the afternoon and then the team put it on the chariot. Lord Jagannth arrived in Semarang in the evening and morning puja was done by pujari on the day of the festival.
The cooking team also arrived a day before. They prepare the bhoga and the prasadam. the devotees from Bali arrived in semarang early in the morning.
“Srimad-Bhagavatam says that the highest perfectional stage of everyone’s talent is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, by his craftsmanship, scientific knowledge, philosophical research, or similar any other energy. Please continue this attitude of service and success of life is assured for you.”(SPL to Syamasundara, 15th July, 1968)
Mr. Romangsi who facilitated the team of JRY Nusantara with Semarang city government, special Mr. romangsi who facilitate the team JRY Nusantara with pemda Semarang city, he special come to base camp JRY at hotel patimura semarang, want to specifically hear clasa bagavatamcame to base camp of JRY at Patimura hotel semarang, want to specifically heard bagavatam class.
At 12.00 local time The Lord was carried to the chariot the the pujari offered arati. Coconuts were offered to invoke auspiciousness. Dark cloud hang in the sky when the devotees started to pull the chariot. The shower started falling and not long time the chariot left the basecamp, it rained very heavily. The devotees never stopped they steps to pull the Lord. Then after arriving the start point the rain suddenly stopped. Art and cultural festival and ogoh-ogoh parade was originally opened at the point of zero kilometre of Semarang City. However, due to weather and stagnant roads, the opening was shifted to Semarang City Hall. However, the march that took the route from the point of zero kilometres, crossing Pemuda street and ending in the courtyard of Semarang City Hall. Each side of the road was always full of citizens and tourists who deliberately looking for the best spot to take pictures. The sankirtan team, lead by lokanath prabhu and shake the audience with Hare Krishna Mahamanta along the way. Some children also happily sang Hare Krishna Mahamantra while pulled the chariot even they were wet because of the rain.
“If they all chant Hare Krsna with the procession, it will be a great success of our movement. Try to fit some loudspeakers for the principal singer which will be vibrated or answered by the whole audience.”(SPL to Gargamuni, 7th June, 1968)
The sankirtan book team spread to the corners of the city where many people watched the parade to distribute Srila Prabhupada book. Maha prasadam of Lord Jagannath also widely spread to the audience.
After a series of cultural arts performances in the form of music and dances, carnival and ogoh-ogoh parade was closed with a drama performance drama Ramaya, brought by Saraswati dance studio.
Our ever grateful obeisances are due to HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance to always look for new avenues for sankirtan. Our humble obeisances to HH Subhag Swami for his inspiration and always reminding us of the importance of the Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabu and for inspiring us with the dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and keeping us united in family of ISKCON.
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