Bangalore, January 14, 2023:
ISKCON Bangalore conducted its first Ratha Yatra of Sri Krishna Balarama post-pandemic this year. The chariot festival is the most awaited event as the Lord comes out on the streets to give darshan to His devotees.
ISKCON Bangalore has been celebrating the chariot festival since 1985, and this was the 38th Annual Ratha Yatra. The current pitadhipati (pontiff) of Sri Vyasaraja Mutt, Sri Vidyasrisa Tirtha Swamiji, inaugurated the event at 5 pm on Saturday and gave his Aashirvachana. Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore, addressed the gathering and inspired them with his spiritually enlivening words. Hon’ble Minister K. Gopalaiah, Minister of Excise, Govt of Karnataka graced the occasion. The procession began from ISKCON Bangalore, Rajajinagar, continued along the main road to nearby locations and returned to the temple. The streets resounded with ecstatic kirtans accompanied by the divine vibrations of mridanga and karatals.
The local residents washed the streets in front of their houses and shops and decorated them with colourful rangolis to welcome the Lord. Devotees offered fruits, flowers, sweets and other auspicious items to Sri Krishna Balarama, seated on the chariot. Prasadam was distributed on a large scale throughout the procession.
The 26 ft tall, beautifully decorated chariot was a unique combination of traditional and modern features. It was equipped with air brakes, a steering wheel and an electric motor-operated canopy to facilitate easy movement on the roads. Two 110 ft long ropes were attached on either side of the Ratha, allowing sufficient space for people to pull the chariot comfortably. Adequate precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the people.
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa said, “Ratha Yatra is a unique festival celebrated annually when Lord Krishna mercifully comes out of the temple to give His blessings to everyone. This is a special opportunity for people to invite the Lord into their hearts. Our scriptures state that anyone who has darshan of the Lord on the chariot receives immense spiritual benefit. I pray to Sri Krishna Balarama to bless all of us with devotion, peace and happiness.”
