By Bhakta Nikhil
Netrakona is
situated in the northern part of Bangladesh, near the Meghalaya border. The
population here is around 70% Hindus whilst the rest are Muslims. There are four main rivers here: Kangsha,
Dhala, Magra, and Teorkhali.
For more photos
please go to the link: https://picasaweb.google.com/110438247584390173216/SriSriJagannathaRathaYatraISKCONNetrakonaBangladesh18thJuly2015
Today (18th July 2015) the 5th annual Ratha Yatra
was held with great pomp and full of enthusiasm. It was an interesting coincidence
that this year’s Ratha Yarta coincided with the Muslim festival Eid where they
celebrate the end of their one month fast, Ramzan. The government was very supportive
being secular in nature and encouraged our devotees by providing necessary
arrangements for the festival to take place in a wonderful way. The Mayor, Sri
Prasanta Kumar Ray and District Commissioner, Sri Tarun Kanti Sikdar and SP Sri
Jaydev Chowdhury fully supported the festival and all of them spoke on one
common theme: Unity in Diversity. They applauded the devotees’ efforts in organizing
a festival which brought people of different faiths together. Mr. Arif Khan
Joy, Deputy Minister Youth and Sports, the Chief Guest for our event, along
with the other invited guests offered aratik to Jagannath.
Srila Prabhupada always pushed this particular festival as
he wrote in this letter, “To implement this transcendental bliss to the people
of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Ratha-yatra
festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to
overflood your country with the waves of transcendental bliss, by the grace of
Krsna (SPL to Aniruddha, 7th July, 1968).
HH Subhag Swami Maharaja
reached ISKCON, Sri Sri Jagannatha Ballabha Temple of Netrakona three days
before the Ratha Yatra day along with a group of devotees from India and
abroad. Devotees here were very
fortunate to hear from him about the nectarine pastimes of Lord Jagannatha and
significance of the celebration of Ratha Yatra.
In the morning Hari-katha was delivered by HH Subhag Swami
Maharaj and was followed by performance of four fire sacrifices (yajna) under
the expert guidance of HG Shyamasundarananda das (Mayapur) to invoke
auspiciousness. Other three fire sacrifices were performed by HG Madhavendu das
(Vrindavan), Ramanuja das (Manipur) and Jayrama das (Netrakona). Thousands of
local people were mesmerized to hear melodious Vedic mantras uttered by the
expert brahmanas.
After the conclusion of the yajna there was prasad distribution.
Thousands of locals assembled in flocks to relish the remnants of the Lord.
Maharaj personally distributed Prasad and gave a hand in cooking to encourage
the devotees and all were blissful upon seeing this.
At around 4pm the Lord officially mounted his chariot and
the festival was on its way. Decorated with an abundance of flowers and its
effulgent golden yellow dome shining brightly all devotees were in great
ecstasy upon seeing the Lord. Vedic hymns were chanted, conchshells blown, camphor
lamps on coconuts were offered and were smashed on the ground, all these just
to create an auspicious atmosphere. Maharaj also in great enthusiasm climbed up
onto the chariot to overlook the festivities. Two kirtan parties sang for the
pleasure of the Lord constantly for the entire four hours. Locals belonging to other
faiths looked upon the Lord with great awe and reverence and were delighted
when the Lords mercy in the form of sweet Bangladeshi bananas was distributed
to them. Very joyfully they were asking for more and more, unknowingly
purifying their hearts. Roughly around 12,000 locals took darshan of Their
Lordships throughout the duration of the festival.
Following this Ratha yatra festival there are to be stage
programs for the next seven days including pravachans, dramas, bhajans,
cultural programs, dances and PowerPoint presentations.
We thank all the devotees of Netrakona for holding such a
great festival for the Lords pleasure. Especially we would like to thank HG Jayrama
das, Tulsi das and Anantadeva das, the leaders of ISKCON Netrakona, who worked
tirelessly day and night for the festival to the place. Our heartfelt gratitude
to HH Subhag Swami Maharaj for personally coming on a short notice to attend
this festival and inspiring all the devotees. Last but not the least, we would
like to thank all other devotees who came from different places to make the
festival complete.
Jay Jagannatha, Jay Baladeva, Jaya Subhadra.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
(written by Bhakta Nikhil )
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