By Yogesvara Gopinath das
Lord Jagannath showered his unlimited mercy on the streets of East London
in the Annual East London Rathyatra on Sunday 25th September. It was truly
a colourful and memorable Cultural event organised by devotees in East
London and HG Parasuram Prabhu from Food for all.
This is a unique festival when Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple to
give his mercy to everyone on the street once a year. This festival started
thousands of years ago in Jagannath Puri in India. This festival was
brought to western world by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON in 1967. Since then, it is
celebrated across the world. The deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva
and Subhdra Devi are seated on a chariot and all devotees pull the chariot
bringing Lord Jagannath back to Vrindavan.
The East London Rathyatra started at 12noon with Mayor Cllr Thavathuray
Jeyaranjan and Ilford MP Mr. Sam Tarry doing the worship of Lord
Jagannath and sweeping and pulling the Chariot. Thousands of devotees took
part in the festivities around the day. The whole East London was in
complete ecstasy of Love and togetherness. People joined in this festival
across all religions and nationalities. The Cranbrook Road was converted into a
dancing and singing road for nearly 2 hours. Everyone was in such colourful
outfits, sang and danced all the way in the chariot procession and felt the
real bliss of love and devotion.
From 2pm onwards, there was a most amazing Park Festival in Valentines Park
with amazing stalls and wonderful activities with free vegetarian food. His
Holiness Svayam Bhagavan Keshav Swami mentioned in his talk at the main
tent that we really need love and devotion in our life and let’s all come
together in this wonderful endeavour of spreading peace and love in
society. He did the first worship of Lord Damodar to mark the launch of the most
auspicious month of Damodar starting from the 9th October.
There were wonderful activities organised in Valentines Park such as
walking 108 steps with Hare Krishna mantra with wonderful milestones, Kids
dance, drama, singing, role play, Shloka recitation, Vrindavan experience
to give people a feel of being in Vrindavan (Krishna’s own abode), Yoga,
meditation, Kirtan, presentation on Rathyatra and congregation, wonderful
snacks, and amazing vegetation food. Devotees offered 108 items for
Bhoga offering to Lord Jagannath which was so amazing.
It was a truly mesmerizing show as the teams from various areas came
together to execute this event. Everyone was so happy and inspired by the
wonderful arrangements. It was followed by a Rocking Kirtan (Chanting and
dancing with Hare Krishna mantra) and vote of thanks.
Everyone really enjoyed it so much and dispersed with a sincere hope that such
mega events should be organized time and again, giving the community a
chance to come together and celebrate in love and devotion.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1zThJJbaQQ6I76PTYBE3gQ0x3miZXTx1I