By Ratirupa Jahnava Devi Dasi
The 25th Annual Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahotsava of ISKCON, Coimbatore and ” ISKCON 50″ Golden Jubilee celebrations was flagged off on 6th January 2017 in a grand function at Sri Annapoorna Auditorium at R.S.Puram. The occasion was graced by the presence of several dignitaries and VIPs like Sri. Srinivasan, Chairman, Sree Annapoorna Sree Gowrishankar Hotels, Dr. K.G.Bhaktavatsalam, Chairman , KG Hospital, senior ISKCON sannyasis and GBC like HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Bhakti Vinoda swami ( Zonal Secretary,Western TamilNadu and Kerala) and international devotees.
On the following day,7th January 2017, Coimbatore city witnessed one of the grandest ever Jagannath Rath Yatra.The auspicious event was inaugurated by Sri. S.P.Velumani, Hon. Minister of Tamilnadu (Municipal Administration, Rural Development, Special scheme implementation) and senior ISKCON sannyasis. Devotees from all over the world congregated for the Rath Yatra celebrations and joyfully pulled the chariot of Their lordships Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi through the streets of Coimbatore. Several cultural performances like dance by international devotees on ” Krishna in Vrindavan”, kirtan, bhajans and spiritual discourses by Senior ISKCON sannyasis enthralled the audience at ISKCON Sri Jagannath Mandir at Peelamedu, Coimbatore, followed by a feast of Sri Jagannath MahaPrasadam. “ISKCON 50” Golden Jubilee festivities continue at ISKCON Coimbatore, as the international group of devotees is performing nagar sankirtan and other cultural programmes in various parts of the city.