New York’s Chariot Fest encountered much rain last month. Toronto’s event of this day was wet but of a different kind. The humidity brings on the humility. In the parade, people were beaten down. Who said Canada’s cold? The intense heat warranted a good swim on Centre Island’s southern beach. Arjuna Sakha and I did what we believe was the smart thing to do – to get wet in the lake water.
The parade was grand, but with some hiccups. The thing that made it pleasant was the cooperative spirit. Our group from Bhakti Academy got all dressed up in a beautiful colour coordination – all twenty of us. We kept in stride and looked good, even the turbans. We were just behind the Chinese dragon shaped by a tremendously happy bunch of men. I must also mention that a troupe of gorgeous Russian/Ukrainian dancers waved their plumes in hand, all synchronized. We looked organized, at least, in some section of the parade.
By water taxi or the ferry, one sails along to the Island for surprises. I met with some Catholic reps, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian denominations. I met with old acquaintances, godbrothers and sisters I haven’t seen in ages. Just everyone comes out of the woodwork for the festival of Jagannath, Lord of the Universe!
Suspense builds up in me, especially for the time of our theatrical production. At 7:20 PM, our Age of Kali was presented. I was spellbound by the performances. They worked so hard. If anyone was in profuse sweat, it was the actors and various dancers on the stage.
Yes, in many ways it was a wet one today.
Source https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/the-53rd-chariot-fest
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