By Sri Bhakti Das
Hare Krishna dear Vaishnavas/is, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The 2017 Santiago’s Ratha Yatra was a great experience.
Some time ago we had the opportunity to give a Srimad Bhagavatam compendium to the Major of the Municipality of Providencia, Mrs. Evelyn Matthei. This year, together with Pundavanika Devi Dasi (Co-Director of the Festival), we had a meeting with the Management of Neighborhoods, Heritage and Tourism of the same local government, in which we emphasized that in 2016 the Festival was held in front of the Presidential Palace (La Moneda), showing photos and videos with the aim to carry out the Ratha Yatra festival in Providencia this year. When the Major knew we wanted to hold the Festival in her district, she was very happy and along with the Management of Neighborhoods, Heritage and Tourism, they displayed all their logistics and means to support us.
They placed Ratha Yatra posters throughout a large part of the city, they provided implements, part of the security, the stage, etc. Also, the Ratha Yatra appeared on all of its websites as an event co-produced by the Municipality. This was a truly historical event in Chile: That a Major together with her Municipality (public entity with great influence on political and social development) has taken the Ratha Yatra as its own festival; in other words, not only as an activity of the Hare Krishna movement.
The tour was carried out from Plaza Baquedano, an iconic place in the center of Santiago where several of the most important events of the city have taken place, preceded by a beautiful dance group that used umbrellas and fans brought from Jagannatha Puri. Finally, the chariot arrived at its destination in the Plaza de la Aviación (Aviation Plaza), where the festival took place during the rest of the day.
At approximately 4:30 pm, the Major Evelyn Matthei arrived. She was interviewed by several media and she expressed that she was very happy with the development of the Ratha Yatra and that we would always have her support to do the festival again in the future.
The Major was introduced to the local ISKCON Chile authorities and had an interesting dialogue with SS. Mahavisnu Swami afterwards, who shared with her the fundamental aspects of the Vaisnava philosophy, also explaining the cycle of births and deaths through his wonderful hat. The Major was very happy and grateful with this interesting and interactive explanation.
In the place, there was a beautiful stage with great national and international artists, alternating dances and music; among them: Nanda Nandana Das, Violeta Sonotherapy, Om Bhakti, Anandini, Ananta Sayana Devi Dasi, Yasoda Nandanesvari, Devarsi Narada Das, Krishna Sambandha and SS Mahavisnu Swami with Harinam Ruci. There was also a small conference by Nanda Gopal and Hari Murari prabhu
There were vegetarian and vegan gourmet stands, free food distribution, activities for children, Yoga and Ayurveda, the temple boutique, Questions and Answers, Srila Prabhupada’s Books, etc.
The Ratha Yatra of Chile 2017 was a great experience that allowed the community and neighbors to join in the glorification of Sri Jagannatha, Sri Baladeva and Srimati Subhadra. We hope that this offering has pleased His Divine Grace, AC. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of Acarya of ISKCON.
Your servant
Sri Bhakti Das.
Hare Krishna.
Video: Ratha Yatra Santiago Chile 2017 Click here
Moro Photos: Click here
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