Rath Yatra Celebrated in Various Parts of Kolkata

Kolkata, Press Trust of India, Updated: July 18, 2015

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offering prayer to Lord Jagannath during ISKCON Rathyatra in Kolkata on Saturday. (Press Trust of India)

Rath Yatra was today celebrated in various parts of the city with traditional religious fervour.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated ISKCON's 44th Rath Yatra from its temple on Albert Road.

The colourful chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra, pulled by thousands of devotees from India and abroad, moved through the major city roads amid the joyous chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hare Krishna'.

The chariots moved through various roads of the city and reach the Brigade Parade Ground (Maidan) where it will remain till July 25.

City Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, Trinamool MP and popular film actor Dev besides actress Koel Mallick, singer Indranil Sen were also present among others.

The chariots would return to the ISKCON temple on July 26 on the day of  "Ultarathayatra" (return journey).

With Rathyatra and Eid falling on the same day this year, ISKCON authorities changed the yatra route in solidarity with the Muslim population and in order not to cause them any problem.

Over 15 lakh devotees from around 100 nations are expected to participate in this year's ISKCON's Rath Yatra, a functionary of the religious group said.

During these eight days, several cultural programmes like dance performance of Dona Ganguly's group and Vedic songs by Russian devotees, are scheduled.

Students pursuing Ph.D at IIT-Kharagpur's Electronics department would present a shadow dance on the essence of Bhagavad Gita.

Chariot festivals were organised all over the city in which hundreds of devotees participated.

Ratha Yatra at Sri Radha Raman Temple

Sri Ratha Yatra Sandarshan Darshan of the gorgeous Sri Sri Radha Raman Ji on 29 June, 2014, Sri Vrindavan Dham, India.

Source facebook.com/Radharaman.Temple

Ratha Yatra in Chandigarh, SCG Math

See a few glimpses of Ratha Yatra function of the Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math in Chandigarh, India.

Source facebook.com/chdmath

The first Ratha Yatra in Rome: An incredible success! (video)

By Mrtyuhara das ACBSP

In Rome the rain started early in the morning, but at 16:50, as soon Lord Jagannatha took His place on the cart the rain stopped and during all the festival, from 17:00 to 20:30 there was no rain, the sky had a beautiful blue color and the sun came out.

Thousands of devotees, friends and general people enjoyed the blissful atmosphere that for 3 hours inundated the center of Rome. I have never seen devotees so happy in my life!

After 40 years from Srila Prabhupada’s visit in Rome, this was the best celebration that all the Italian devotee could offer to our beloved Spiritual Master.

Almost all the Italian devotee were present at this event. A bus came from Milano Yatra and hundreds of other cars from all over Italy gathered at Piazza Del Popolo for the Ratha Yatra.

I want to thank in particular these devotees that made this festival a transcendental event:

HH Mahavisnu Swami, Madhusevita Prabhu and Alikrsna Devi Dasi, HG Dhananjaya and Bala Gopala Dasi, HG Prabhavishnu Prabhu, HG Dayanidhi Prabhu and specially Mukundananda Prabhu and Anubhava Devi Dasi who organized and accomplished almost everything!

Also Dhruva Prabhu from Milan yatra who drove the cart and all the devotees from Milan.

All the pujaris from Villa Vrndavana who brought Lord Jagannatha, Sri Subhadra and Sri Balarama from Their abode in Florence.

And all the devotee that participated and contributed to make this celebration a big success!

Enjoy the below video with the highlights of the Festival made by Arthia Devi Dasi (my wife) and myself.

Photos by Rasala Dasa.

Source Dandavats.com