By Hari Narayana Das
Lord Jagannath’s chariot closed the parade where Thousands of citizens both the surrounding community, domestic and foreign tourists packed along Malioboro Street until Zero Kilometer Point, August 26, 2017. They enjoy various performances on the parade to commemorate the Independence Day was that attended by thousands of participants from various quarters.
“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it” Srila Prabhupada letter to Syamasundara, 4th May 1967
The government of Yogyakarta through its tourism department really appreciated the Rathayatra and personally invited the authority of Narayana Smrti temple, the local ISKCON preaching center of Yogyakarta, to take part with Jagannatha Ratha yatra during that parade. They also gave a donation to the devotees to prepare the Ratha-yatra.
Garuda Prabhu and Subhananada Prabhu who in charge in Jogjakarta announced the program in Jagannath Ratha-yatra Nusantara discussion group. It was not waiting for a long time, devotees from around Indonesia agreed to take part in the festival. Some of them planned to come to Jogjakarta other just sent their donation to support the festival.
On the day of the festival devotees from Bali arrived with flowers that would be used to decorate the chariot. Arrived at Narayana Smerti center, they cleaned themselves then they prepared the flowers garlands. Then they continued the work in the Kepatihan, where the chariot was decorated. The preparation for the Ratha yatra was done at the Yogyakarta Governor’s office premises. The chariot was beautifully decorated with an abundance of flowers and other paraphernalia. At 02.00 Pm. The Lords were put on their throne on the chariot. the Pujari offered bhoga and arati. Started the Ratha yatra, devotees offered coconut. The chariot then pulled to the Garuda hotel, where other participants already prepared for the parade.
The kirtan team lead by Sarana Prada Prabhu sang Hare Krishna Maha Mantra melodiously and attracted many people to see and took pictures in front of Lord’s Chariot. devotees on Mahabharata costumes attracted people there.
The parade is divided into 3 squads covering the marching line groups like AAU drumband, AAU Taruna troop, Paskibraka, Yogyakarta palace warrior and Puro Pakualaman, drumband Hisbul Waton, and others. A group of cultural arts attractions from various art galleries, lion dances, art attractions from elementary school students, Bregodo, Ogoh-ogoh community groups, onthel communities and others. Group of ornamental cars followed by participants from Gembira Loka, ornamental, carts ornamental, PT KAI, antique motor, and Lord Jagannath’s Chariot.
As the last participants, the Lord’s Chariot captivated the heart of the people who fill the both side of Malioboro street. The lively kirtan and the grace of the gopis dancer movement added the euphoria of the parade. Many took pictures of Lord Jagannatha using their mobile phone. People who saw the parade danced with the devotees accompanied by melodious Hare Krishna Mahamantra song.
“And if there is chanting of Hare Krsna, even the soul is there for a short time, Oh! he will hear and become advanced. This sound vibration is not material, it is spiritual and powerful beyond our conception. So it cannot be hindered in any way by something material; it surpasses all these material barriers”.SPL to Mukunda and Janaki, 28th February 1968.
The visitor gave applause when Lord Jagannath’s chariot arrived into the main stage where the mayor of Jogjakarta and his staff presented. Adi Purusha Prabhu gave maha prasad flower garlands of Lord Jagannath to the mayor. They were so happy to receive them. Along the road, the devotees distributed Lord Jagannath’s prasadam and people eagerly accepted it. Devotees also did book distribution there
The parade finished in front of Jogjakarta museum. The pujari then offered arati and then the devotees honored prasadam joyfully.
A week passed, the devotees in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi also did Ratha yatra. The Ratha yatra was very festive where local people joyfully danced and sang Hare Krishna Maha Mantra along with devotees in front of Lord Jagannath’s chariot. Mayor of Kendari who personally came, in his speech, said that this festival inspired him and he requested the devotees to participate in the festival that would be held by the government. He added that this Ratha yatra festival could be ones of the cultural event of Kendari. Devotees were joyfully danced along the route. Lord Jagannath Maha prasadam also freely distributed and devotees also did book distribution.
We hope that Prabhupada is pleased and bless the devotees who organized such a wonderful Ratha-yatra. Srila Prabhupada mentioned in his letter that,“ I thank you all very much for making the Ratha-yatra festival so successful. Please convey my gratitude to all the boys and girls who participated in this great transcendental service.”(SPL to Upendra, 4th July 1968). He also blessed all devotees as he stated in his other letter that “may Krishna bless you all for your sincere service that you may all go on making more and more advancement in Krishna Consciousness.” (SPL to Jayananda das, 19th July 1976).
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 a family of ISKCON.
We offer our humble obeisances to Srila Prabhupada again and again for showering his unlimited mercy upon the devotees and keeping us engaged in the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Jay Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subadra Devi ki…. Jay!
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