Iskcon to host 14th Annual Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra
Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Karunya Sagar Dasa-President of Iskcon- Arya samaj Road, here said, ” The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a worldwide renowned spiritual and charitable organisation. It has about 400 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.”
He further said, “The ISKCON Mangaluru Branch is organising the 14th Annual Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra festival on Saturday, 18th February 2017 at Hotel Navarathna Premises K.S.Rao Road. This festival is being enacted when 5000 years ago Krishna Balarama siblings undertook a journey in Vrindavan in Mathura on a chariot to grant audience, blessings to all their devotees and it is also fashioned in the lines of the most famous Rath Yatra of Jagannatha Puri symbolising and inviting the Lord into our hearts.This function is held in the Holy presence H.H. Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Puthige mutt Udupi. His Grace Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru and Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation will preside over the function. President of Bunts Alias Nadavara
This function is held in the Holy presence H.H. Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Puthige mutt Udupi. His Grace Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru and Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation will preside over the function. President of Bunts Alias Nadavara Mathru Sangha Sri. K. Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi will be the chief guest, Managing Partner of Renowned S.L. Shet Jewellers M.Ravindra Shet, will be the Guest of Honour.”
“The colourful Ratha Yatra procession will be flagged off after an inaugural special puja at 05.00 p.m. from Hotel Navarathna Premises. The majestically decorated and illuminated spectacular chariot carrying the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama will proceed from K.S. Rao Road at 05.30 pm and pass through Hampankatta Circle, Town Hall, Market Road, Bhavanthi Street, Car Street, G.H,.S Road, P.M.Rao Road, K.S.Rao Road, Navabharath Circle, P.V.S.Circle, Bunts Hostel Circle, and will and culminate at Kadri Sujeer C.V.Nayak Hall at 08:30 p.m. followed by Sankirtan and Maha Mangala Arati and serving of prasadam by the volunteers to the devotees” added K S Dasa.
While concluding K S Dasa said, “The entire procession will be 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. Public can offer flowers, fruits, lamps etc to the Lord. devotees also can spread and draw rangoli in front of their houses/shops along the Ratha yatra route. Devotees from the States of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh will participate in this Grand function.” Sanandana Dasa and Devakitanaya Dasa, Secretary and member of Iskcon were also present during the press meet.
