ISKCON's Jagannath Rath Yatra in Vijayawada on Friday
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Devotees and residents of Vijayawada are in for a spiritual treat as the ISKCON Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir is set to host South India's largest Rath Yatra Mahotsavam beginning June 27. The three-day spiritual extravaganza will commence at 1 p.m. at Sitara grounds, Bhavanipuram, and will feature grand processions, cultural performances, and devotional festivities.
ISKCON has extended an invitation to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to inaugurate the Rath Yatra, which will see participation from thousands of devotees from across the State and abroad, said ISCKON Mandir president Chakradharidas.
At a press conference here on Thursday, he said that the festival will feature a majestic chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Subhadra Devi, accompanied by 'harinaam sankirtan' by ISKCON devotees from countries like Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Brazil, U.S.A., Kazakhstan, and Italy. A highlight of the celebrations will be the darshan of the deities in a specially constructed Gundicha Mandir, designed by the globally renowned Bengal decorators, he said.
He urged devotees to participate in the celebrations and experience the divine atmosphere similar to the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra.
Procession by women
Adding a historical dimension, this year's event will feature a first-of-its-kind 'Sumangali Subhadra' procession on June 29, where over 1,000 women entrepreneurs from Vijayawada and Guntur districts will offer 'sare' (traditional gifts) to Goddess Subhadra while arriving in decorated bullock carts. The organisers claim it to be the first sare-offering ceremony in a Rath Yatra in India.
The Rath Yatra will proceed from Sitara Grounds through Swathi Theatre Road, Kanaka Durga Temple road, Ratham Centre, and conclude at Seethammavari Padalu, where a sprawling Mela will take place across 3.5 acres.
Over 1.5 lakh devotees are expected to receive free prasadam during the three-day event, alongside daily offerings of 108 varieties of 'Naivedyam' to Lord Jagannath. Spiritual discourses, kirtans, and 'Harinaam Kathamrut' sessions will enrich the religious atmosphere every evening.
Laila Group chairman Gokaraju Ganga Raju, Sintex Industries head Sudhakar Chowdary, and others were present.
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