First Ever Las Vegas Ratha Yatra

BY: KRISHNA-MAYI DEVI DASI

Apr 05, 2012 — WATFORD, ENGLAND, UK (SUN) —

2012 commemorates the 10th anniversary of ISKCON Las Vegas. What would be a better way to celebrate than to hold the first ever Ratha yatra Festival, not only in Las Vegas, but in the whole southern Nevada! Thus the preparations are being made to hold this wonderful festival on April 21, 2012.

Ratha-yatra originally occurred five thousand years ago when Krishna's devotees, who were living in Vrindavan, could no longer bear separation from Krishna and so traveled to Kurukshetra where Krishna had just ended a war. While Krishna was still on His chariot they pulled Him back to Vrindavan. This pastime in full detail has many significant points, but an essential meaning to why this festival is celebrated around the world is it symbolizes a devotee who for one form or another is separated from Krishna or spiritual life, and he is bringing the Lord back into his heart.

For Las Vegas this is an appropriate festival as it represents the need to bring divinity back into a lost culture, but it also compliments the mood of those few spiritual seekers in Vegas who sincerely are striving for spiritual perfection but feel isolated and overwhelmed by the dark energies of the city.

Thus we would like to welcome anyone and everyone from around the world to celebrate, not just the ten years of the congregational chanting the Holy Names of the Lord in Las Vegas, but for the blessing for the years to come. And whether you physically attend the Ratha-yatra or attend in spirit, let it be inspiration to not be dismayed in what separates us materially from the Lord, but to remember how we are already spiritually connected to Him.

Please visit www.GovindasCenter.com for more details.