Festival of the Chariots - Liverpool 2007
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:38 amThis just in ... might be something a bit different for Timesnap tomorrow.
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10am - Saturday 14th July
________________________________
For more details contact:
Govardhan 9601 0290
Ananda-Moya 0412 474 295
Ajay-Krishna 9644 3532
________________________________
HISTORY OF RATHA-YATRA
Ratha Yatra, the Festival of The Chariots, originated thousands of years
ago in Jagannatha Puri in Orissa on the North Eastern coast of India,
where it is still observed by the entire population. Over 5 million
people attend the event, and it is also celebrated in every town across
India. The main event is the enthronement of three large deities -
Jagannatha (Krishna), His brother Balarama and Their sister Subhadra -
each onto Their own wooden chariot. These three huge chariots are then
hauled by ropes held by hundreds of Their devotees along a parade route
lined by admirers, worshippers and spectators.
The carved and colourfully-painted chariots, liberally bedecked with
flowers and garlands, are accompanied by enthusiastic kirtana
(congregational chanting) sung by tens of thousands of devotees. After
the procession there is, as at all Vaisnava festivals, a large feast of
Krishna prasadam for all participants.
The deities who grace the chariots are kept throughout the year within
temples where They are worshipped daily in a regulative way. But once a
year They emerge in order that the public may see Them. Krishna thus
presents Himself as Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe (from which we
get the English word "juggernaut" meaning a large truck or chariot).
Over the last thirty years Ratha Yatra has been introduced into many
cities around the world such as New York, London and Sydney by ISKCON's
founder Srila Prabhupada, and his followers. As an outdoor street
festival it never fails to attract the attention of the public and media
and has become a much loved and appreciated event in many urban
calendars to the delight of members of ISKCON.
________________________________
10am - Saturday 14th July
________________________________
For more details contact:
Govardhan 9601 0290
Ananda-Moya 0412 474 295
Ajay-Krishna 9644 3532
________________________________
HISTORY OF RATHA-YATRA
Ratha Yatra, the Festival of The Chariots, originated thousands of years
ago in Jagannatha Puri in Orissa on the North Eastern coast of India,
where it is still observed by the entire population. Over 5 million
people attend the event, and it is also celebrated in every town across
India. The main event is the enthronement of three large deities -
Jagannatha (Krishna), His brother Balarama and Their sister Subhadra -
each onto Their own wooden chariot. These three huge chariots are then
hauled by ropes held by hundreds of Their devotees along a parade route
lined by admirers, worshippers and spectators.
The carved and colourfully-painted chariots, liberally bedecked with
flowers and garlands, are accompanied by enthusiastic kirtana
(congregational chanting) sung by tens of thousands of devotees. After
the procession there is, as at all Vaisnava festivals, a large feast of
Krishna prasadam for all participants.
The deities who grace the chariots are kept throughout the year within
temples where They are worshipped daily in a regulative way. But once a
year They emerge in order that the public may see Them. Krishna thus
presents Himself as Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe (from which we
get the English word "juggernaut" meaning a large truck or chariot).
Over the last thirty years Ratha Yatra has been introduced into many
cities around the world such as New York, London and Sydney by ISKCON's
founder Srila Prabhupada, and his followers. As an outdoor street
festival it never fails to attract the attention of the public and media
and has become a much loved and appreciated event in many urban
calendars to the delight of members of ISKCON.
