By Ekalavya das LOK (Nagpur – IN)
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Hare Krishna.
6th April 2008, Solapur, Maharashtra, India,
Lord Jagannatha’s cart rolls out on the streets of Solapur for the first time in history!
Jagannatha Rathayatra was certainly the biggest shobha yatra (spiritual parade) in the history of Solapur. Thousands packed the streets as throngs of devotees pulled the ropes of Lord Jagannatha’s cart, waved flags and danced and chanted in the kirtan.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
The devotees of Solapur were joined by devotees from Mumbai, Pune, Jalgaon, Latur, Beed, Belgaum, Aravade, Sangli, Tasgoan, Kholapur, USA, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Russia, and many more places.
ISKCON Maharashtra Co-Zonal Secretary, His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaja, expressed his pleasure and satisfaction, “The event was a grand success. I was especially pleased by the participation of so many devotees. People turned out in numbers. Some people were there from beginning to finish. Thousands were accompanying us throughout in the hot sun. The streets were full.”
Along with Lord Jagannatha’s cart, the procession featured a brass band, chariots bearing children dressed up to depict Krishna’s and Ramachandra’s pastimes, children dressed up as monkeys dancing in the kirtan, and two kirtan parties.
Banners, flags, and emblems with the insignia of Lord Jagannatha were carried throughout. Beautiful Rangoli (colored powder decorations) covered the entire route of the yatra bringing stunning colors to the festival.
At the conclusion of the yatra, a beautiful stage program was conducted. Bhajan singing, Bharat Natyam dance, and talks by HH Lokanath Swami Maharaja and HH Radha Raman Swami Maharaja enthralled the audience.
The grand finale was a concert of the Gaura Hari Band who sang the Hare Krishna Mahamantra with a western flavor and brought the audience once again to their feet to dance the night away.
Fifteen newspapers covered the event including color photos and even a front page spread!
Special thanks to HG Istadeva Prabhu and all the Solapur devotees who worked so hard to make this festival a grand success as well as all the visiting devotees who selflessly gave their time and energy to participate in this wonderful festival to receive the mercy of Lord Jagannatha.
Jaya Jagannatha!
Dasanudas, Eklavya Das