“In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna instructs
Uddhava in the principles of devotional service which please Him. ISKCON
is completely following these instructions that include singing,
dancing and playing musical instruments glorifying the Lord, observing
festivals like Ratha Yatra and making special offerings to the Lord on
such occasions, observing religious vows such as Ekadashi and taking
initiation as per the procedures laid out in the scriptures like
Pancharatra,” said His Holiness Shri Vidyesha Thirtha Swamiji of Sri
Bhandarakeri Mutt while addressing the devotees at the inaugural
ceremony of the 30th Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra celebrated by ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Bangalore on 24th January 2015.
His Holiness stressed the importance of utilising
the valuable human life to develop unflinching devotion to Lord Krishna.
Eulogizing the Akshaya Patra initiative of ISKCON, he said, “Lord
Krishna in Udupi who is known as Annabrahma is extending His mercy to
north India through this spiritual activity of ISKCON.”
The festival witnessed thousands of devotees
enthusiastically taking part in pulling the Ratha with devotion. The
inaugural ceremony of the Ratha Yatra was also graced by the presence of
His Holiness Sri Shivanubhava Charamurthi Sri Shivarudra Maha Swamiji
of Belimutt. He glorified Srila Prabhupada saying that Prabhupada has
brought Lord Krishna from the spiritual kingdom to this earth for the
welfare of the whole world. “We should pray to the Lord with the door of
our heart open so that He can reside within our heart. It is possible
to get full benefit of this Ratha Yatra when we are anxious to see the
beautiful form of the Lord and have the eagerness to take part in the
celebration knowing ourselves to be greatly fortunate,” he added.
Regarding the Vrindavana Chandrodaya Mandira being
built in Vrindavana by the devotees of ISKCON Bangalore, he said, “The
majestic temple is rising up in Mathura for Lord Krishna showing His
Vishva Rupa. The seed sown by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has fructified
and is growing into a huge tree. All this is Lord’s desire.”
Sri Gopalaiah, M. L. A., Mahalakshmipuram, Sri N L
Narendra Babu, Ex–MLA and Sri S Harish, Ex Dy. Mayor of BBMP, Bangalore
were among the dignitaries present on this occasion.
ISKCON temple president Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa
said, “Srila Prabhupada has taken the pure message of Lord Krishna all
over the world. He has incorporated every item of devotional service
like chanting, dancing, prasadam, Ratha Yatra etc. as given in the
Bhagavatam. The Hare Krishna mantra is so powerful that it changes even a
stone-heart to make it Krishna conscious. Everything here on the hill
is a sankalpa of Srila Prabhupada. Every gift that we have is the mercy
of Srila Prabhupada.”
On the occasion of Ratha Yatra, Annadana program
under which free lunch prasadam is served to the devotees visiting the
temple every day was inaugurated according to the instruction of Srila
Prabhupada to freely distribute prasadam as one of the core principles
of Krishna Consciousness.
The colourfully decorated and illuminated Ratha
carrying the Deities of Lord Krishna, Balarama, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
Nityananda and Srila Prabhupada was pulled by hundreds of devotees
through the streets of Mahalakshmipuram and Rajajinagar 1st Block amid
Harinama Sankirtan that resounded in all directions. The divine forms
of Their Lordships magnificently dressed and decorated and riding on the
Ratha, gave a spiritual experience to all who took darshan and offered
prayers. Free sweet prasadam was distributed to everyone throughout the
Ratha Yatra. Devotees made an offering of flowers, fruits, coconuts
etc. to Their Lordships at many places along the route of the
procession.
The celebration concluded with Pallakki Utsava of
Sri Sri Krishna Balarama followed by delicious and sumptuous dinner
prasadam to all.
