By Hari Narayana Das
East Java Provincial Government together with Culture and Tourism Office again held Jatim Specta Night Carnival (JSNC) 2017. Jatim Specta Night Carnival this year took the theme of Enchantment of Nusantara Mask. The East Java cultural art parade was already entering the fourth year. This event was one of a series of activities from the 72nd anniversary of East Java. This time, the host of JSNC 2017 was the city of Malang. The event which was attended by all cities / regencies of East Java was held in two days, on October 6 and 7, 2017. The highlight of the show was the Cultural Parade along Ijen Boulevard Malang starting at 19.00 pm. The Culture and Tourism department of Malang requested Hare Krishna community (Jagannath Ratha Yatra) in Malang to participate in the parade as representative of the department.
“But this unique procession has convinced them that our men are very nice and they can organize a great crowd without any violence. That is a fact if people actually want peace and tranquility, they must support this movement whole heartedly and we shall execute our prescribed duties very seriously and sincerely. In this way if we are given a chance, I am sure we will enact a new chapter in the history of the Western world”. (SPL to Madhudvisa, 14th April, 1970)
The entrusted given by the tourism department was followed up by Trivikram das, one of H.H Subhag Swami Maharaj who live in Malang and always search for the opportunity to present the Hare Krishna Movement in public in Malang by invited the devotees in all over in Indonesia to participate on the Ratha yatra.
Devotees in Indonesia always support when there is Jagannath ratha yatra. They welcomed the invitation from the devotees from Malang by supporting in many ways. Some gave donation and other donated flowers to decorate the chariot and other helped in preparing the parade. A day before parade, the devotees from Bali, Lombok and other part of Indonesia went to Malang. The transportation organizer for Ratha yatra Nusantara, Adiprana das, prepared 3 big bus to Malang. They arrived in the basecamp of the ratha yatra which was facilitated by the government at the first Junior High School of Malang in the afternoon. Then the devotees helped to prepare the ratha yatra.
On the evening the devotees did arati to the Lord in the hall of the school. The head master of the school personally visited the devotees to make sure the comfort of the devotees stay at her school. it was saturated by rain on the afternoon and devotees believe that it is natural in rathayatra held in Indonesia that rain always fall before Lord Jagannath on the chariot goes in street. After arati devotees also did Damodar puja then traditional dances performed in front of the Lord. At 8.30 the Lord were carried to the chariot and coconuts were offered to invoke auspiciousness.
“Regarding the Ratha-yatra festival, keep it always gorgeously alive, but do not change the principle. The principle should go on as usual. (SPL to Bhakta dasa, 24th November, 1974)
Devotees pulled the chariot to the Ijen Boulevard. Thousands of people had packed along Jalan Besar Ijen to watch this cultural parade. The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra sang by Kirtan group filled the entire atmosphere in Ijen Boulevard and people who came flowing in the melodious tune on Hare Krishna.
Better to have nice festivals like Ratha-yatra festivals. If they see us on television show then the next moment they will forget. But if they come to a festival and participate that is eternal benefit.” (SPL to Jagadisa, 28th December, 1974)
The cultural parade started exactly at 7 pm and was opened by the Governor of East Java. H. Soekarwo. Starting from Brawijaya Museum to the front of Baperwil Malang all contingents from the Regency / City of East Java which amounted to 38 contingents.. Each contingent brought attractions such as mask dance, unique and magnificent parade vehicles, as well as the distinctive attractions of their respective regions. One by one participants started moving headed to the main stage of the carnival. In front of the honour stage they began to show the very fascinating attractions and at 10.00 Pm. Lord Jagannath’s chariot started to move. The kirtan team lead the parade then followed by the dancer and the devotees pulled the chariot and behind the chariot the mask dancer. As royal parade, Lord Jagannat’s Chariot move the last as closing the carnival. When the announcer announced that the last participant from the Jagannath ratha yatra Malang community enter the main stage, all the audiences gave great aplouse. Then devotees gave flowers garland that already offered to the Lord to the governor of East Java.
Devotees distributed 500 Kgs oranges to the audience and to the officer who attended the parade. Book distribution team also distributed Srila Prabhupada’s book to the people.
“If we introduce this festival in all big cities in the world along side with book distribution then in no time we will conquer the whole world”. SPL to Bhutatma, 7th August, 1973)
“The distribution results from the Ratha-yatra are very nice. There is no question of profit. Distribution is the first consideration.” (SPL to Yasomatinandana dasa, 11th July, 1976)
Our ever grateful obeisances are due to HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance to always look for new avenues for sankirtan. Our humble obeisances to HH Subhag Swami for his inspiration and always reminding us of the importance of the Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabu and for inspiring us with the dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and keeping us united in family of ISKCON.
Jay Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subadra devi ki jay…..
More photos: https://goo.gl/jEHBTB