By Hari Narayana Das
Two Jagannatha Ratha Yatra took place at the same time (July 8, 2018) and in two different places. one far in the west, Jakarta, and the other one far in the east, Kediri, East Java.
As Srila Prabhupada mentions in his lecture that “Just like the other day we held the festival, Ratha-yatra. Chant and take prasadam. That’s all. Organize this all over the world. They will be saved. They will understand Krishna.” (SP lecture on Bhagavad-gita 1.10-London, July 12, 1973)
Being skipped for three years, the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, for the five-time got the mercy from Their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subadra Devi Who graced the Jakarnaval, 2018. accidentally one of devotee saw the advertisement of the event on the internet and without delay, he called Sudha Bhajan Prabhu to confirm the information to the committee of the carnival. the committee then accepted the devotees’ proposal to participate in the carnival. The Lord of the Universe agreed to go out in the parade and bless all the people there irrespective of their background, caste or creed.
It was a week before the carnival when the devotees knew the carnival. they then made a flash meeting with the devotees in Nilacala dham. the devotees then agree to bring the Lord out for Ratha Yatra. a short preparation did not make them worry, because they knew that the Lord of Nilacala always has something sweet for them.
Arrangements began and invitations were sent out to all devotees in Indonesia to participate in the Ratha Yatra festival and avail the opportunity to render service to Lord Jagannath. Many devotees came forward to help and assist in different capacities. a bus full of devotees arrived from Lampung to give support to the devotees in Nilacala dham. A day before Ratha Yatra, the chariot was brought from Depok to the Nilacala dham, Jakarta. The chariot team led by Satyaraj Prabhu checked the chariot and made some adjustments. The mechanic worked on the engine of the chariot. When assured that everything was ok, they started to decorate the chariot. Flower garlands were placed on the chariot along with much other paraphernalia. one devotee donated balloons to put on the chariot. The chariot looked so gorgeous with all the ornaments on it. Afterward, the devotees prepared the yajna kunda for the fire sacrifice.
At 08.00 am local time, The devotees started the Ratha Yatra by doing pahandi Vijay or bringing Their Lordships to the Chariot with devotees chanting respective pranam mantras for the deities. After the bhoga offering, Pujari offered arati to the Lord and all devotees sang Jagannatha astakam led by Sesa Prabhu in melodious tunes. After arati Devotees offer coconut to the Lord to begin the Ratha Yatra, Navin Prabhu swept the road on which the Lord was to come out.
The chariot and devotees were assisted by police especially employed to help the chariot come safely from the temple to the parade ground at Monas (Monumen Nasional). In the procession, first were the children who held the Jagannatha flags and Maha Mantra banners, then the dancer team, the decorated car with the sound system to support the kirtan team, the Lord’s chariot and last, the decorated car with 500 kilograms of orange donated by Dhina Darini Mataji already offered to the Lord and ready for distribution.
Many people were attracted by The Lord’s procession from the start point of the Jakarnaval. They curiously wanted to know what was going on and ran out from their offices to the street. They were amazed to see the Lord on the chariot and more surprised when the devotees gave them maha prasadam of the Lord. Arriving at the Monas, the sun was shining brightly and the weather became very hot, the chariot placed under the banyan tree that gave shade to the Lord. the devotees took arrest around the Lord chariot. then they started bhajan while waiting for the parade. Many people came closer to the Lord’s chariot and took a picture in front of the chariot. After having noon prasadam, devotees prepared to start to join the other participants.
As Srila Prabupada said in his letter….”as far as possible, distribute prasadam”(SPL to Jayapataka, 21st June, 1969).
At 17.00 the Lord Chariot entering the honoured stage where the governor of Jakarta, Mr. Anis Baswedan, and His Vice Mr. Sandiaga Uno welcome the devotee. Devotees gave flowers garland that already offered to the Lord to them. They also accept a copy of the Bhagavad Gita as It Is. Devotees requested them if they would like to pull the chariot of the Lord. Without any delay Mr. Sandiaga Uno jumped from the stage and join the devotees pulled the chariot then Mr. Anis also didn’t want to miss this opportunity joined the devotees pulled the chariot. They were so happy and thanks the devotees to participate in the Carnival. The devotees then continued the journey returned to Nilacala Dham and at last, they honoured prasadam before returned to their respected house. four young men and women from other faith followed the Lord chariot until Nilacala Dham. They so eager to Know more about Ratha yatra and our movement. They were received in prasadam hall and guide by Dhina Darini Mataji. They also had prasadam with devotees. Meanwhile, in Kediri, East Java, Cultural parade, and the parade of ornamental cars held Kediri regency was lively. This year there are 48 participants. Lord Jagannath was one of the participants that gave special mercy to the residents of Kediri. Residents were enthusiastic witnessing. Some even come from out of town.
Only one devotee resides in Kediri, Bhakta Gusti. even alone he always eager to see the information about the festival in Kediri. This time the Cultural parade and parade of ornamental held on July 9, 2018. He the coordinated with the Jagannatha Ratha yatra Nusantara team to prepare the rath yatra. The announcement was made and many devotees also donated their Laksmi to support the rath yatra.
In two buses full of devotees arrived a day before the festival to participated and gave a hand in preparing the festival. The cooking team flew a day before. The government of Kediri prepared SMK (Vocational school) Ngasem as the base camp of the devotees. The devotees prepared everything here except for the prasadam prepared at Gusti’s Prabhu house. Lord Jagannatha and His chariot arrived a day before the festival. It was several hours from Malang.
“This Rathayatra is one of the activities of Krishna. Therefore to take part in the Rathayatra festival means to associate with Krishna directly. SP lecture on Ratha-yatra; London, July 13, 1972”
The decorative chariot looks magnificent and beautiful. Complete with the dancers and mridanga players devotees pulled Lord Jagannath to the front of Kediri Regency office. The enthusiasm of visitors is seen from crowded in the parade area which from the beginning has been given a guardrail.
This year, the starting route of Culture Week starts from the front of Kediri Regency Office and finishes in Simpang Lima Gumul Monument area. Previously start from Simpang Lima Gumul Monument area and finish in front of Kediri Regency Office. Moved among the visitors, the sankirtan book team distributed Srila Prabhupada’s book to the audiences. 112 books were taken by the visitors. They were happy to have the book.
At 02.00 pm local time the devotees pulled the Lord to the main road of Kediri. Oranges that already offered to the Lord were distributed to the audiences along the journey. it was one and half and hours journey before arrived in front of honour stage were the mayor of Kediri welcomed the Lord and the devotees. The mridanga payers showed their attractive play and dancers dance in front of the VIP guests and devotees also gave flower garland that already offered to the Lord. Big applause from the audience was given to the devotees. After the performance, The devotees pulled Lord Jagannatha returned to the base camp. arrived in the base camp the devotees took a rest and then honoring prasadam.
“Try to make this Hare Krishna movement popular through any source that is possible. That is our business.” (SPL to Syämasundara, 29th June 1969)”
Everything came out so well just because of the arrangements and blessings of Srila Prabhupada who is certainly happy to see these Ratha yatras. We thank HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia for their continuous support in increasing sankirtan all over Indonesia. We would like to especially thank HH Subhag Swami for inspiration and guidance in making the festival the most wonderful one and guiding us all to come closer to Prabhupada. We thank all the exceptional devotees of JABODETABEK and Kediri because of whom this Ratha yatra became possible. Gratitude to the prasadam team(Lalit Krishna Prabhu for the evening prasadam, Sri Sri Radha Govinda temple, Puncak Bogor for lunch prasadam, Sri Nila Cala Dham prasadam team for morning prasadam) for Jakarta and Prasadam team for Kediri. Our obeisances to all the unnamed devotees who wish to remain anonymous but gave their time and dedicated service to fill up all the gaps in an arrangement for the festival and for their remarkable efforts to make this festival successful.
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