ISKCON ‘Balarama Ratha Yatra’ held in Fervour spreads Message of Peace & Happiness
Mangaluru: Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) which started in Mangaluru in the year 2004, this year being its 15th year, also saw hundreds of devotees from in and around Mangaluru, and from neighbouring places participating in the Ratha Yatra. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a worldwide renowned spiritual and charitable organisation. It has many centres with lakhs of devotees and millions of followers around the world. It’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who pioneered in spreading the Vedic culture all around the globe had once said, “Our only aim and objective is to provide an opportunity and enlighten the society with a simple experience of a life of happiness, peace, good health, solace and all good qualities through God consciousness”.
The ISKCON Mangaluru Branch organised the 15th Annual Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra festival at Hotel Navarathna Premises K.S.Rao Road.This was conducted in the lines of the most famous Rath Yatra of Jagannatha Puri symbolising and inviting the Lord into our hearts. The entire procession was spiritually powered by the loud and ecstatic chanting and reciting of the Hare Krishna Hare Rama kirtans by the devotees accompanied by dancing in front of the chariot by the followers. During the Yatra Public can offered flowers, fruits, lamps etc to the Lord. Devotees also spread and drew rangoli in front of their houses/shops along the Rathayatra route. Devotees from the States of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh also participated in this Grand function.
This function was held in the Holy presence His Holiness Shri Vishwapriya Theertha Swamiji of Adamarumatha-Udupi, His Grace Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru and Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, His Grace Sri Chanchalapati Dasa, Senior Vice President, Iskcon Bangalore & Vice Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation. His Grace Sri Rajiv Lochan Das, President Iskcon and The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Hubli; and His Grace Karunya Sagar Dasa, President Iskcon and The Akshayapatra Foundation, Mangaluru presided over the function. President of Bunts Alias Nadavara Mathru Sangha K. Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi was the chief guest, Dr. V. Ravichandran, CEO, Diya Systems (Mangaluru) Pvt Ltd., Anil Bansal, M.D, AK Bansal Group of Companies, & Managing Partner of Renowned S.L. Shet Jewellers M.Ravindra Shet, were the Guests of Honour.
The inaugural function was held at Hotel Navarathna Premises K.S Rao Road. On this occasion Prize distribution for the Winners of The District level Krishna Contest was doneat 4.00 p.m. The colourful Ratha Yatra procession was flagged off after an inaugural special puja at 05.00 p.m. by the Chief guest and other dignitaries who graced the occasion. The majestically decorated and illuminated spectacular chariot carrying the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama proceeded from K.S. Rao Road at around 05.30 pm and passed through Hampankatta, K.S.Rao Road, P.V.S.Circle, M G Road, Mannagudda Road and culminated at Shri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Kudroli, Mangalore at around 08.30 p.m., Devotees offered flowers at the Lotus feet of their Lordships and pulled the chariot.
The entire atmosphere was spiritually powered by the chanting of the ‘Hare Krishna Maha’ mantra. The deities on the majestic chariot, while in procession, received a warm welcome by the people of Mangaluru all the way. The chariot was decorated with a variety of fragrant flowers and illuminated with sparkling lights. The deities of the Lordships were bejeweled by ornaments, flower garlands and silken garments. The culmination of Yatra was followed by Sankirtan and Maha Mangala Arati and serving of prasadam by the volunteers to the devotees.
