Tarini Radha: ISKCON Chennai will be holding its 25th annual Jagannath Rath Yatra on the 12th of January 2008. The procession will be inaugurated at 3pm from Taylors Road, Kilpauk and will proceed via Kilpauk Garden Road, Chintamani, II Avenue Anna Nagar, Tirumangalam and Ring Road to Nathella Sulochanamma Kalyana Mandapam at
100 ft. road, Koyambedu.
This ancient festival was first conducted outside India in 1967 at Los Angeles by the devotees of ISKCON. The success of that first festival has made Ratha-yatra an integral part of ISKCON’s activities worldwide.
The Chennai chapter of ISKCON has been conducting the Jagannath Ratha-yatra annually with growing success. This year it celebrates the Silver Jubilee of the festival. Appreciation of the general public can be seen in the way they eagerly reach out, some stretching out from their vehicles, for the delicious Prasadam that is distributed all along the way.
Justice P. Jyotimani, High Court Judge of Chennai, has consented to be the Chief Guest and inaugurate the Ratha-yatra. ‘Ubhaya Vendanta Vidwan’ Vellukudi Krishnan will also participate in the inauguration and speak on the glory of Lord Jagannatha and the Ratha-yatra. ISKCON world leaders ‘ HH Jayapataka Swami
(USA), HH Bhanu Swami (Chairman of the ISKCON GBC), HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
(England) and HH Bhakti Vrajendranandan Swami (Malaysia) will grace the occasion and deliver lectures.
The Temple President for ISKCON Chennai, Sri Sumithra Krishna das, who is leading the organization of the festival said, ‘Sri Jagannath Ratha-yatra is a wonderful festival wherein the Lord steps out of the temple to see all the citizens. This is one festival that sees no difference among people. Everyone comes before the Lord as His child. We request all the residents of Chennai to participate in the festival and experience the joys of the festival.’
Visit www. iskconchennai. com for more information.