By Nila-kamala dasa
On the 11th August 2018, devotees in Medan, Indonesia held a grand Ratha Yatra festival for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath and His pure devotee Srila Prabhupada, under the expert guidance and leadership of HG Maniram das.
“This is very good proposal. Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it” (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967)
The day before the event various devotees across Indonesia and Singapore arrived in Medan to help with various services. Many devotees stayed up the entire night making flower garlands and preparing prasadam for the next day.
The devotees in Medan were expecting the arrival of HH Subhag Swami on the day of the event but unfortunately due to Maharaj’s health it was not possible.
At 5pm guests started to arrive and at 5 30pm evening arati was performed to the Lord. Following this, Their’ Lordships were carried to the exquisitely beautiful chariot. HG Maniram das then addressed all the devotees and guests present and distinguished guests such as police officers and leaders of the Hindu Parishad spoke. Next a recorded speech by HH Subhag Swami was played to everyone present. Maharaj spoke of the significance of the Ratha Yatra festival and the importance of a service attitude toward the Lord.
“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).
After this Bhagavad Gitas were offered as gifts to donors and VIP guests. Coconuts were offered to the Lord and smashed in order to invoke auspiciousness. The devotees then began to pull the chariot as melodious kirtan was being sung. After 3km the chariot arrived at a Devi temple. There many offering were made by the locals to Jagannath and arati was performed. At 12am Their’ Lordships arrived back at the temple along with all the devotees who had danced the entire night. After the Lord took rest the devotees had a sumptuous feast.
“I thank you all very much for making the Ratha-yatra festival so successful. Please convey my gratitude to all the boys and girls who participated in this great transcendental service.” SPL to Upendra, 4th July, 1968
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.
More photos: https://goo.gl/DuFJbe