Mangaluru: Addressing the media during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club, Karunya Sagar Dasa, the President of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Arya Samaj Road, Mangaluru gave the following details pertaining to the ’16th Annual Sri Krishna ‘Balarama Ratha Yatra’ to be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019. On the dais he was joined by Sanandana Dasa (Secretary), Balakrishna Rai (ISKCON Representative) and Sudhakar Rao Pejavar (Coordinator of Cultural Programme).
“The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a worldwide renowned spiritual and charitable organisation. It has many centres with lakhs of devotees and millions of followers around the world. It’s founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who pioneered in spreading the Vedic culture all around the globe had once said, “Our only aim and objective is to provide an opportunity and enlighten the society with a simple experience of a life of happiness, peace, good health, solace and all good qualities through God consciousness”.
“The ISKCON, Mangaluru Branch, is organizing the 16th Annual Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra festival on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Temple square, Sri Venkataramana Temple, Car street, Mangaluru. This is conducted in the lines of the most famous ‘Rath Yatra’ of Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, symbolizing and inviting the Lord into our hearts”.
“This function is held in the Holy presence of His Holiness Shri Sri Vidya Prasanna Theertha Sripadaru, Sri Subrahmanya Mutt, Shri Kukke Subrahmanya, and His Grace Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru and Chairman of the ‘Akshaya Patra Foundation. MUDA Commissioner Sri Srikanth will be the Chief Guest for the Ratha Yatra festival. His Grace Rajiv Lochan Dasa, President of ISKCON and ‘Akshaya Patra’ Foundation, Hubli, will be the special guest for this event. His Grace Sri. Karunya Sagar Dasa, President of ISKCON and ‘Akshaya Patra’ Foundation, Mangaluru, will preside over the function”.
“The inaugural function will be held at Temple square, Sri Venkataramana Temple, Carstreet, Mangaluru. The colourful ‘Ratha Yatra’ procession will be flagged off after an inaugural special puja at 4.30 PM. The majestically decorated and illuminated spectacular chariot carrying the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama will proceed from Sri Venkataramana Temple around 5.30 PM and pass through Mahamaya Temple Road, Canara High School, Navabharath Circle, K.S. Rao Road, P.M. Rao Road, G.H.S. Road, Market Road, Bhavanthi Street and will culminate at Shri Venkataramana Temple, Carstreet, Mangaluru at 8.30 PM, followed by ‘Sankirtan’ and ‘Maha Mangala Arati’. Dinner prasadam will be served to all the devotees after the ‘Maha Mangala Arati’. About 7000-8000 devotees will join the ‘Ratha Yatra’. About 10,000 packets of prasadam will be distributed from the Ratha and 8000 donna prasadam additionally will be distributed behind the Ratha”.
“The entire procession will be spiritually powered by the loud and ecstatic chanting and reciting of the ‘Hare Krishna Hare Rama kirtans’ by the devotees accompanied by dancing in front of the chariot by the followers. Public can offer flowers, fruits, lamps etc to the Lord. Devotees also can put Rangoli in front of their houses/shops along the ‘Ratha Yatra’ route. Devotees from the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh will participate in this Grand function. COME…….PULL THE RATHA !!! ” said Karunya Sagar Dasa.
