By Samela
Yesterday, Patrick and I had a fantastic experience in East Hartford, at ISKCON’s (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Ratha Yatra festival. I’d read about the event in last month’s Natural Awakenings, and mentioned it to Patrick because they advertised a free vegetarian buffet and yoga. Not to mention, something about Indian culture is extremely alluring to me. It’s like I was programmed to be drawn to it, it’s just everything I love: loud live music, dancing, home made vegetarian food, fantastical stories of legend, people are often barefoot, yoga, meditation, bright colors and untold amounts of shiny metal jewelry! My best friend growing up, Shivani, probably played into that as well because her family was very welcoming to me and brought me to a bunch of family reunions and dance events when I was still in elementary school and full of imagination. And now, Patrick being half Trinidadian, his mother’s side of the family cooks me endless roti and curried potatoes. (Yum!) Anyway, the event was from 12noon to 5pm, because I had work all morning, we didn’t arrive until a quarter to 4, unfortunately, because it turned out to be so much more than free food and meditation.
When we arrived we were greeted by a nice man to directed us to an available parking space. The festival was held outside on the grounds of a Knights of Columbus venue. There were tents labeled: Yoga/Meditation, Henna, Food/Snacks, Kid’s Corner, and a couple vendors’ tents bedazzled with chimes and jewelry. We wandered onto the grounds and a slim American guy wearing traditional white clothing walks up to us with a bundle of books in his hands. He greets us and asks if it is our first time here, which I guess it was obvious that it was given I was one of very few women without a sari and with partially blonde hair. I feel guilty admitting this, but I was a bit defensive and reserved when we first began our conversation, because generally people who walk over with religious texts in their hands expect donations, and it just creates an awkward air between everyone. However, much to my surprise (and embarrassment) he genuinely did just want to talk and show us around a bit so we didn’t miss anything. His name is Fred and he works and worships at the East Hartford Temple that funded the event, he gave us each a book on love, worship and yoga and did not once imply that he expected monetary compensation in return. He was super kind and I’m sure our paths will cross again and I won’t be so instantly judgmental.
After that really nice greeting, Fred pointed us in the direction of the buffet, but once we got there we realized that there was only about an hour left in the event and there wasn’t much food left. Then a we caught the eye of a woman who was working near the kitchen serving herself a plate and she instantly gave the plate she was filling for herself over to me because I was a guest and not to worry there was enough food for the two of us. The second we had plates in our hands a man, who seemed somewhat in charge, led us to the “nectar” pitcher, and wow was that good. I’m not sure what was in it, but it tasted like super sweet fresh lemonade infused with mint! (must find the recipe!) We took some seats near a stage that had a band organizing itself.
The food was great, and it tasted even better given all the generosity put into it. Then, the play began. Now, I’m not sure the name of any of the characters being portrayed, and it was a completely new story to me, but wow did it make the childhood nativity plays I was in seem boring! The cast was made up of a couple young men, playing demons, gods and monsters and the rest of the cast were children all done up in costumes and make up. The story began with a demon and his son (played by an absolutely adorable child who somehow remembered a ton of lines and cues) and the problem is that the demon believes he is the most powerful and greatest, but his son recognizes Krishna as the only true powerful great being. The drama continues between the demon and his son and his son’s teachers, who are seemingly the culprits of his son’s dissident beliefs. The demon father sends a monster after his son, a monster who throws boiling water at him, lights him on fire and all sorts of other attacks, but the boy seems unfazed and protected by an unseen force. Finally when the demon faces his son for the third time and asks who the most powerful being is and his son answers god, the demon is enraged and begins yelling at god to show himself if he is so powerful asking his son where can god be found. The child answers, (loosely paraphrased) “everywhere, he is who gives you power and all of us life, he is all around us in the air, ground and even that pillar.” The demon laughs and goes to strike his son, at which moment a lion-headed god breaks through the pillar and begins to fight the demon, ultimately breaking the demon’s back over his knee, pulling a string of entrails out of hisstomach (or waist belt for this occasion) and wearing the bloody guts as a necklace at which point the son crawls over offering gifts and apologizing for being brought into the world to a demonic family, the god places the boy on his knee and the rest of the cast of children run out and start singing and dancing around scene. Patrick and I were left with our mouths open, thinking, yes, yes, that did just happen, and it was AWESOME! Hahaha I am still laughing at the whole experience, everyone cheering on the son and booing at the demon.
After that, very entertaining play, a kirtan began with a harmonium, drums, chanters and dancers. We took this time to explore a bit more, Patrick invested in some beautiful wooden mala beads, while I got a henna tattoo, and then we chatted with the woman running the Black Yak Trading Company’s stand about Tibetan lore before stocking up on some incense and sandalwood soap.All in all, everything about the festival was great, next year we will definitely go earlier so we can participate in the yoga class and kirtan!!
source: http://samelaart.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/ratha-yatra-east-hartford-indian-festival-27/