Rathyatra Mesmerises Patna Residents
BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Jun 28, PATNA, INDIA (TIMES OF INDIA) — Hundreds of devotees of Lord Krishna marched across the state capital, chanting Hare Rama Hare Krishna as the 40-ft high Jagannath Rath with idols of Shri Jagannath, Shri Baldev and Devi Subhadra was taken around.
With them moved a number of elephants, horses, camels and a band party. The devotees distributed prasad among passersby, and members of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) enthusiastically spread the spirit of goodness through the Sri Jagannath Rathyatra on Tuesday.
The yatra was flagged off by state urban development minister Ashwini Kumar Chaubey from ISKCON temple. The minister said such events are helpful in spreading harmony among people.
Acharya Shrimad Mahavishnu Swami Maharaj said the tradition of the Rathyatra is meant for the benefit of the entire mankind.
ISKCON's Patna unit chief Srikrishna Kripa Das said year after year, the Rathyatra has been spreading love and harmony among people.
Though the Rathyatra halted traffic, stranded passengers sat awe struck in their vehicles. "I'd just heard of the fame of ISKCON.
But going by the huge response that the yatra has evoked, I am fascinated," said Sudhir, a businessman, who didn't mind getting delayed for some work and watched the devotees singing and dancing to the chants of Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.
As the Rath proceeded to the New Dak Bungalow Road and towards the Gandhi Maidan, the strength of people in the procession increased and so did the volume of the bhajans.
"It's not noise. It is the musical sound that evokes the Lord and tells Him that we, his devotees, are waiting for him to come to us, bless us and love us," said Dayanand, dancing merrily. The yatra moved through Exhibition Road, Fraser Road, Mahavir Temple and finally reached ISKCON temple late in the evening.
