Nashville Rathayatra Ever-Increasing Festival

By Gokula Ranjan Das

October 6, 2012

Every year the city of Nashville holds a Festival of Cultural in the famous Centennial Park. All the ethnic groups from all over the world who have come to live in the Nashville area have set up to display the gifts of their own cultures, which they have brought to share with in their new homeland—America.

Three years ago Nitai Gaurasundar and his merciful band of devotees introduced the Rathayatra by having a grand procession go around the large park and booth area. It was an initially small event, but nevertheless had a big effect on the hearts and minds of everyone.

The next year when Manish Prabhu was applying for the permits for our booths, the lady in charge remarked, “Only if you promise to have your parade!” And so, the annual Nashville Rathayatra was born!

Somehow or the other Laotian group decided to join in with a float of their own, a large elephant with upraised truck and young ladies in traditional dress, dancing, in front of the Rathayatra cart. Lord Jaganatha was increasing this festival!

This year, when Abhishek (Nitai Gaurasundar’s son) went to discuss the procession route, again the lady-in-charge was most anxious that we increase the length of the parade and wondered if some of the other countries could participate. As a result, this year there was a very long Chinese dragon dancing in a serpentine fashion; Mexicans in “muy muy bonita” peacock feathered headdresses. There were all the Baltic nations represented, the Kenyans, the Ethiopians, and many more ethnic groups, all dancing in natural garb to the music of their own specific culture.

Parampara Das (former temple president of Murari Sevaka) exclaimed that it seemed as if the whole world had come to dance for Lord Jaganatha’s pleasure. Another Prabhupada disciple, Peta Dasa, remarked, “This was the best Krishna Conscious festival I have ever attended!”

Some of the other highlights of the festival were Adidev’s diorama display, which all-new comers find absolutely intriguing. The Alachua devotees Bhajan band enlivened the crowd to join in a massive circle dance around the stage while chanting the Holy Name with tremendous joy.

Prasadam from Lord Jaganatha’s cart was enthusiastically distributed and enthusiastically received! Srila Prabhupada’s books were very popular and selling in a steady stream It seems people came back from last year to buy “big books,” wanting to gain an even deeper understanding of the Krishna Conscious philosophy.

One can only imagine what Lord Jaganatha has in store for next year’s “ever increasing festival!”

All Glories to the assembled devotees!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to their Lordships: Jaganatha, Baladev, and Subadhra!

Your servent,
Gokula Ranjan Das