By Mathura Lilesvari Devi Dasi
“All the Vaisnavas came together like an assembly of clouds. As the devotees chanted the holy names in great ecstasy, tears fell from their eyes like rain. When the sankirtana resounded, it filled the three worlds. Indeed, no one could hear any sounds or musical instruments other than the sankirtana. Lord Jagannatha was garlanded, dressed with nice garments and adorned with beautiful ornaments. His face was glittering from the rays of sunshine, and the entire atmosphere was fragrant. All the visitors who had come from different countries to Jagannatha Puri, as well as the local devotees, offered their personally cooked food to the Lord. The devotees offered their food everywhere — in front of the car and behind it, on the two sides and within the flower garden. Wherever possible, they made their offering to the Lord, for there were no hard and fast rules” – Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya Lila Chapter 13.
By the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada this auspiciousness is reenacted all over the world. Every Ratha Yatra we are fortunate to experience a glimpse of what Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates experienced more than 500 years ago at Jagannatha Puri.
Every year Sri Jagannatha Mandir celebrates its Ratha Yatra on the same day as that of Jagannatha Puri. The Presiding deities Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra Devi and Sudarshana go on a chariot ride giving mercy to all the residents near the temple and ends the procession in MCA hall which is located in a Chinese predominant area.This year, ratha yatra was attended by more than 1000 devotees and well-wishers who joined forces in making the festival a huge success. Devotees were fortunate to have the association of HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami who graced the festival.
Devotees gathered at Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur at 4pm. The festival started with delicacies offered to Lord Jagannatha followed by a ceremonious arotik offered to Their Lordships. Devotees brought all kinds of offerings and all gathered were sumptuously fed with the mahaprasad even before the chariot went out to the streets. Such is the mercy of Lord Jagannatha.
Along the path of the rath many residents prepared offerings from their home for Lord Jagannatha. Prasad was also served to the devotees. It is indeed a great honor for the devotees who reside near the temple that Their Lordships visit their home once a year along with the devotees. Needless to say these devotees receive Their Lordships and the devotees in a grand manner. There were fire crackers and braking of 108 coconuts in one of the devotees’ houses to receive
The Lordships.
The resounding kirtan prompted many residents to come out of their homes to take darshan of Lord Jagannatha,thus creating immense fortune for themselves.
Lord Jagannatha was finally brought to the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) where more devotees and guests were gathered to receive Their Lordships. HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana delivered a spiritual discourse on the glories of Lord Jagannatha while HG Simheswara Das, Regional Secretary, ISKCON Malaysia and HG Kripa Sindhu Krishna Das, Temple President addressed the congregation with much appreciation of the support given.
To culminate the festival, a huge feast was served to all devotees gathered. Everyone went back home with their hearts filled with Jagannatha Prem and stomachs filled with Jagannatha prasad. After four hours of procession and kirtan finally when Their Lordships went back to the temple from the hall there was a sudden downpour concluding the Yajna. Kuala Lumpur did not have rain for many days and the weather was extremely hot. So this rain was a big relief for everyone and it continued till next day…such was the result of Harinama Yajna and Sri Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra.
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