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By Yogesvara Gopinath das<\/p>\n
Lord Jagannath showered his unlimited mercy on the streets of East London
\nin the Annual East London Rathyatra on Sunday 25th September. It was truly
\na colourful and memorable Cultural event organised by devotees in East
\nLondon and HG Parasuram Prabhu from Food for all.<\/p>\n
This is a unique festival when Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple to
\ngive his mercy to everyone on the street once a year. This festival started
\nthousands of years ago in Jagannath Puri in India. This festival was
\nbrought to western world by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami
\nPrabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON in 1967. Since then, it is
\ncelebrated across the world. The deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva
\nand Subhdra Devi are seated on a chariot and all devotees pull the chariot
\nbringing Lord Jagannath back to Vrindavan.<\/p>\n
The East London Rathyatra started at 12noon with Mayor Cllr Thavathuray
\nJeyaranjan and Ilford MP Mr. Sam Tarry doing the worship of Lord
\nJagannath and sweeping and pulling the Chariot. Thousands of devotees took
\npart in the festivities around the day. The whole East London was in
\ncomplete ecstasy of Love and togetherness. People joined in this festival
\nacross all religions and nationalities. The Cranbrook Road was converted into a
\ndancing and singing road for nearly 2 hours. Everyone was in such colourful
\noutfits, sang and danced all the way in the chariot procession and felt the
\nreal bliss of love and devotion.<\/p>\n
From 2pm onwards, there was a most amazing Park Festival in Valentines Park
\nwith amazing stalls and wonderful activities with free vegetarian food. His
\nHoliness Svayam Bhagavan Keshav Swami mentioned in his talk at the main
\ntent that we really need love and devotion in our life and let’s all come
\ntogether in this wonderful endeavour of spreading peace and love in
\nsociety. He did the first worship of Lord Damodar to mark the launch of the most
\nauspicious month of Damodar starting from the 9th October.<\/p>\n
There were wonderful activities organised in Valentines Park such as
\nwalking 108 steps with Hare Krishna mantra with wonderful milestones, Kids
\ndance, drama, singing, role play, Shloka recitation, Vrindavan experience
\nto give people a feel of being in Vrindavan (Krishna\u2019s own abode), Yoga,
\nmeditation, Kirtan, presentation on Rathyatra and congregation, wonderful
\nsnacks, and amazing vegetation food. Devotees offered 108 items for
\nBhoga offering to Lord Jagannath which was so amazing.<\/p>\n
It was a truly mesmerizing show as the teams from various areas came
\ntogether to execute this event. Everyone was so happy and inspired by the
\nwonderful arrangements. It was followed by a Rocking Kirtan (Chanting and
\ndancing with Hare Krishna mantra) and vote of thanks.<\/p>\n
Everyone really enjoyed it so much and dispersed with a sincere hope that such
\nmega events should be organized time and again, giving the community a
\nchance to come together and celebrate in love and devotion.<\/p>\n