By Namhatta ISKCON Vrindavan:
The Transcendental Pastimes Of Lord Jaganatha's 2nd Rathayatra in Mathura Vrindavana.
17th Oct 2016, During the auspicious month of Damodar, ISKCON Vrindavana Namhatta Department organized the 2nd grand Rath Yatra festival in Mathura to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON. The event co-ordinated with the 2016 Braja Mandal Parikrama with the parikrama devotees gathered in Mathura that very day to attend the festival on Oct 17, 2016. Due to the overwhelming support of the residents of Mathura and the enthusiastic participation of local and visiting devotees, the celebration is now marked to be an annual event on ISKCON Vrindavana's calendar.
For photos please go to the link:
https://www.facebook.com/587926797996015/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1025091094279581
Celebrations began at 9:00 am with a Pandal Program at Kedar Dham Mathura.. Festivities began with a devotional welcoming of Sri Sri Jagannatha , Subhdra and Baladeva with a showering of floweres and kirtan. A marvelous feast of numerous preparations and arati was offered to the Lord of the Universe. Sweet kirtan and discourse was given by HG Panca Gauda Prabhu, HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu, HG Dadhi Bhaksa Prabhu, HH BA Janardan Swami, HH Gaurnarayan Swami, HH Prabodhananda Swami, HH Radha Raman Swami.
Numerous Prabhupada disciples were present and many countries of the world were represented through the attendance of devotees from abroad. Also the Vrajamandal Parikrama devotees numbering about 1500 had their schedule coordinated to join in the event and many Mathura-vasis , naturally bound in affection to the Lord by birth, also participated. Prasadam was distributed to about 2500 devotees in the morning.
Ratha Yatra Started at 1:00 pm, with Jagannatha Astakam by HH Prabhodhananda Swami and Maha Aratik by HG Pancagauda Prabhu.
After about half an hour, Sri Sri Jagannatha , Subhdra and Baladeva were seated on the Ratha, Many thousands of devotees came forward to pull the Cart of the Lord in ecstasy sending the wheels of the Lord's Rath in motion at 2:30 pm. In a scene reminiscent of Jaganatha Puri, the Ratha got stuck in the middle of Chowraha for over 90 minutes. By the Lords mercy, this transcendental advertisement attracted even more of the residents of Mathura who were about their daily affairs. In the evening, many thousands more than expected Mathuravasis attended the post-Rathayatra evening celebration. If the Ratha had happened to get stuck in any other part of the route it would have caused very severe traffic problems in an already congested urban network.
“ Just like in Jagannatha Puri, Ratha-yatra festival, sometimes the ratha, chariot, will be stuck up, will not move. People draw it, but does not move. Even King Prataparudra engaged some elephants, and the ratha is not moving. And Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would say, "All right, let Me try." So He would go back side of the car and with His head push it, and very easily it will go.” (*Lecture on SB 1.16.11 -- Los Angeles, January 8, 1974* )
Many Coconuts were broken and, in the tradition of the Gajapati King, a golden broom was used to clear the path for the Lord. It seemed that all business owners, ashrams and other locals were sprouting from every corner to offer arati, flowers and many types of preparations and refreshments which were then distributed to the assembled devotees in the form of Lord Jaganatha's transcendental Remnants.
And very melodious and enthusiastic kirtans drowned all the participants in the ocean of transcendental bliss. Everyone was jubilant on this occasion as the atmosphere was surcharged with Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Local residents were captivated by the dancing foreign devotees and the next day all the local news papers published pictures of foreign matajis in colorful saris dancing before the Lord's cart.
To an onlooker of the procession, the first thing to see was a large banner announcing ISKCON's 50 Year Celebration. Next was a larger than life poster of Prabhupada followed by an 8 ft high replica of his Bhagavada-Gita As It Is. After this there was a well organized skillful team of matajis quickly applying beautiful rangoli decorations to the roadside. Finally one could then bear witness to the transcendental form of the Lord Who's beauty is comparable to the ocean of devotees joyfully pulling the cart while chanting His Name.
Ratha Yatra finally concluded at Hirakunja Residency at 6:30 pm with a wonderful feast Prasadam for a devotee crowd swelling to more than 3000 strong followed by Sandhya Arati, lamps in offering to Lord Damodara. A cultural program of dance and drama went into the late hours of the evening.
If you are planning to come to Vrindavan during the month of Kartik in the years to come, please take note and participate in ISKCON's Mathura Rathayatra. The event is only *30* minutes from ISKCON's Krsna Balarama Temple in Vrindavana. Arrangement is made for the free travel of devotees to and from the event by bus however the journey can easily be negotiated by auto rickshaw.
By Srila Prabhupada's mercy the event is proving to be a very sweet celebration that harnesses the devotional enthusiasm of the residents of Mathura and ISKCON devotees both local and abroad.
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