By Hari Narayana Das
Jakarnaval themed Miracle Mask archipelago in commemoration of the 487th anniversary of Jakarta City was done on 22 June 2014. The carnival was followed by many departments under Jakarta’s government with their flower decorated car participated in the carnival. The committee also gave chance to the groups of culture to join the carnival. This great chance was taken by the devotees in Jakarta and surrounding to implement the mission of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu in speading the holy name. Through Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Jakarta Carnival, the devotees tried to distribute Lord Jagannath mercy to everyone who watched the carnival.
The devotees in Jakarta always see the chance “where” and “when” are the proper time to do ratha-yatra in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. They were work hard and full concentration for searching the information about event that might suitable for the ratha yatra. All this just to present the Krishna consciousness and to implement the Lord transcendental bliss to the people in general as Srila Prabhupa mention in his letter that “To implement this transcendental bliss to the people of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Ratha-yatra festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to overflood your country with the waves of transcendental bliss, by the grace of Krsna (SPL to Aniruddha, 7th July, 1968).on his other letter Srila prabhupada mention that
Regarding Ratha-yatra, this must be done at any cost. I may go or not go, that is not important. But Ratha-yatra festival, as you have already made program somehow or other it must be done. (SPL to Syamasundara, 26th May, 1969)
When the devotees had news from their friend in culture department in Jakarta, they followed it up by writing a proposal to participate in the carnival. The devotees waited and prayed to the Lord that the government would allow us to participate in the carnival. Then the good news came informally that the proposal was accepted. The devotees still didn’t believe because the formal invitation letter did not arrive. Because of the late of the invitation latter, the devotees could not make invitation to other devotees around Indonesia to come to Jakarta. The day of carnival was getting close and no letter came made all devotees pray more and more to Lord Jagannath for His mercy and to Srila Prabhupada that they could do seva to do Ratha yatra. By the mercy of Lord Jagannath and Srila Prabhupada the formal invitation arrived 4 days before the carnival. The devotees prepared in a short of time. They sent invitation to the devotees all Indonesia, collecting donation and preparing for the chariot. Devotees from Bali came by bus. On their way to Jakarta they stuck on a long traffic jam. They remember what Srila Prabhupada wrote in his letter that “….but if we try to satisfy Him in so many ways as directed by acaryas and scriptures, indirectly we become benefitted by such activities. So try to nicely observe this Ratha-yatra festival…” (SPL to Yamuna, 27th May, 1969).They prayed to Lord Jagannath that they could do some service to the Lord. With the spirit of devotional service, they made flower garlan on the bus. All devotees on the bus were happy event they stuck on the traffic jam for hours because they still could do devotional service and meditate to Lord Jagannath. Other devotees came from Lampung, Surabaya, Sulawesi, Lombok, and other part of Indonesia. They came by bus, Train, and airplane.
On the day of the carnival, the Ratha Yatra started by homa yagna in the morning to purified the chart and other paraphernalia. After homa yagna the Lord was offer Greeting Arati and the devotees sang happily in front of the deities then continued by guru puja. After guru puja a live class was given by H.H. Subha Swami Maharaj through teleconference from Mayapur. Maharaj explained about the meaning of Ratha-yatra and said that Lord Jagannath would shower His mercy to all devotees who could participate on the Ratha-yatra. It gave extra energy for devotees. After the class the devotees were prepared for honoring prasadam because the route of the ratha yatra was quite far from the temple through the main road of the Jakarta. When the devotees finished their prasadam seva they prepare to start the ratha-yatra. At 10.00 am local time, Sri Jagannath along his brother Sri Balarama and His beloved sister Subadra devi were put on the chariot that was beautifully decorated with flowers. They offered bhoga and then arati on the chariot. After arati the Lord offer coconut by devotees. Mr. Ngurah from Jakarta centre Hindu Parisad also came and offer coconut to the Lord. The chariot then pulled by the devotees through the main road of Jakarta city to National Monument (Monas).
Arrived at Monas the Lord and all devotees took a rest waiting for the start. On the ratha-yatra this time the some devotes dressed like Krishna and gopies and one devotee dressed hanuman. They attracted many people. The audiences were eagerly to take picture with them. Hanuman was their favorite object to make pictures. The girls preferred Krishna as their partner in the picture. Some other made picture around Jagannth chariot. The Kirtan group with high sound system sang the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra loudly that could be heard by all people in Monas. Some devotees also did book distribution.
At 04.00 pm local time was the turn for the Lord chariot to start. The devotees were arranged such way. Devotees who brought flags of Jagannat walked in front followed by groups of dancers then the Kirtan group and the last the chariot of the Lord pulled by devotees. Thousands of people watched the carnival. Acting Governor of Jakarta, Basuki T Purnama (Ahok) watched from the stage with a curiosity. Then H.G. Adipurusa gave a Bhagavad gita and a flower Garland that already offered to Sri Jagannath to Mr. Ahok. Mr. Ahok was very happy to have the bhagavad gita and without waiting for long time he opened and saw every page of the pictures in the bhagavad gita. The dancer group dances and the kirtan group sang melodiously the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra in front of the guest. All the audiences also could not control their body to dance in their place of stand. They forgot their background after saw the Lord and heard the Maha Mantra. The devotees brought so many maha prasadam and all were distributed to the audiences. The audiences also came close to the chariot of the Lord to get maha prasadam. It was like the ratha yatra in Puri that all wanted to get the Lord mercy. The carnival finished in the city business center circle of Hotel Indonesia. Everyone was flooded by the bliss and mercy of the Lord. The festival was covered by National Medias, printed and electronic.
On behalf of all the devotees involved, we express our sincere feelings of gratitude to H.H. Kavichandra Swami and H.H. Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia for their support, guidance and encouragement at all times to increase the sankirtan movement in Indonesia. Our humble obeisances to H.H. Subhag Swami for inspiring us with the life and dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for helping us realize the importance of Srila Prabhupada in our lives and keeping us united in family of ISKCON. Our gratitude to Leader of Jakarta Hindu Parisad, leader of SAKKHI Adipurusha das, and all Jakarta Devotees, Sudha Bhajana das, bhakta Made Yagustana, Govardhan das, bhakta Made Delima and team, bhakta Ketut Tribayuna and team, Susanggata mataji and team, das, Nava Yauvana das, Pada Sevana das,Narotama das, Matsya Avatara das, Subudi das, bhakta Gede Labda,and bhaktin Kinta. We offer our humble obeisances to Srila Prabhupada again and again for showering his unlimited mercy upon the devotees and keeping us engaged in the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Jay Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subadra Devi ki Jay…..
