Latest news with #Iskcon
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
24km Rajarhat road test for Jagannath rath's Sukhoi tyres
1 2 3 Kolkata: The chariot used to carry Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra in Kolkata did a 24 km dry run on Saturday night, hours after its ageing Jumbo jet wheels of 1978 vintage were replaced with mint-fresh wheels used in Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets in the Indian Air Force. The four tyres cost Rs 1.8 lakh. "The chariot was hauled by a tow truck from its garage in Rajarhat to the Gurusaday Road. The journey was smooth. We expect the 7-km journey on the day of Rath Yatra and the return journey on Ulta Rath to be glitch-free," said Iskcon Kolkata vice-president Radharamn Das. This will be Iskcon Kolkata's 54th Rath Yatra. While the rath travelled at 8 kmph on Saturday, it usually crawls at 1.4 kmph during the Rath Yatra. The tyres are capable of doing 280 kmph, the speed of the take-off run on the tarmac before the Sukhoi jets become airborne. Officials of MRF Tyres, manufacturers of the tubeless tyres for the fighter jet, were taken aback when Iskcon first approached them for the Sukhoi tyres that appeared to be the closest fit to the Dunlop tyres for Boeing B-747 aircraft that were fitted when American engineer Garry William Roberts designed Iskcon Kolkata's chariot in 1977. "The only customers that the company had for these tyres was the Indian Air Force. They were so shocked when we requested to buy the four tyres that they sent their officials to look at the rath. They confirmed that the 4-ft diameter Sukhoi tyres are the closest match to the jumbo jet tyres that were in use. Iskcon is now the second customer for these tyres," said Das. Each Sukhoi tyre is capable of taking a load of 13 tonnes. Together, the four tyres can carry 52 tonnes. While the Sukhoi aircraft weighs 18.4 tonnes, the maximum weight of Jagannath's chariot along with the deity, priests, and disciples riding it will be 16 tonnes. The search for the tyres began two decades ago in 2005. Though Iskcon zeroed in on the Sukhoi tyres around 2018, the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the urgent replacement required in the iron wheels of Balaram's rath caused the delay.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Iskcon summer camp to revive Vedic values
Prayagraj: With the aim of reviving Vedic values among children and youths, Iskcon Prayagraj is running a five-day 'Prahalad Summer Camp' for kids from 5 years to adolescents. The camp, which will run till May 30, is offering a range of activities and courses aimed at uplifting the spiritual and ethical values of the participants. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The participants perform mega Harinam Sankirtan (congregational chanting) on the streets of the city. They engage in various activities, ranging from organising drama based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata, teaching art and craft, shloka learning from the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, Ramacharitmanas and gau sewa, among others . According to Iskcon officials, around 350 children and youths, along with a massive gathering of 500 residents, performed mega Harinam Sankirta on the streets of the city in the early hours of the day. Starting from Kydgunj, the procession witnessed kids dressed in colourful clothes as Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Sri Krishna and Radharani. Hundreds of people were seen chanting and dancing to Harinam Kirtan performed by the devotees of Iskcon throughout the procession.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Iskcon faces criticism for conducting unscheduled Rath Yatra in Sandton
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has once again sparked controversy by conducting an out-of-schedule Rath Yatra celebration in Sandton, South Africa, drawing sharp criticism from devotees and religious authorities alike. The organisation's recent celebration, their fourth annual event in Sandton, was publicised through their official social media channels, leading to immediate backlash from various quarters. This marks the fourth instance in recent times where Iskcon organised Rath Yatra outside its traditional schedule. Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik voiced strong opposition to Iskcon's actions, emphasising that such deviations from tradition hurt the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide. "Very unfortunate to see Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra was already celebrated in Africa by ISKCON. After so many requests from SJTA and all the devotees, again they deviated the unification of Ratha Yatra dates to preserve the cultural and spiritual sanctity of Maha Prabhu Jagannath," Pattnaik stated on social media platform X. The controversy follows a similar incident last week in Chelmsford, London, where Iskcon conducted another untimely Rath Yatra. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What is your writing missing? Grammarly Install Now Undo In Nov last year, the organisation faced intense opposition for a planned celebration in Houston, USA, which was later modified to a Sankirtan Yatra following intervention from Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. Balaram Lenka, a devoted follower of Lord Jagannath, expressed strong disapproval of Iskcon's actions, stating, "Despite repeated warnings, Iskcon is continuing the violation which seems deliberate. This is not tolerable at any cost." Religious experts emphasise that the Rath Yatra, one of the most significant festivals in the Jagannath tradition, must be observed according to specific astronomical calculations and ancient scriptures. The traditional celebration takes place during the Ashadha month in the Hindu calendar, making any deviation a serious concern for devotees. Pattnaik has called for intervention from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to address this recurring issue. While Iskcon Sandton celebrated their "Fourth Annual Rathayatra Festival with Grand Success" according to their social media post on May 20, local Iskcon authorities have remained unavailable for comment on the controversy.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Iskcon flyover tragedy: Gujarat high court grants four-day interim bail to Tathya Patel
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court on Friday granted four-day interim bail to Tathya Patel — accused in the July 2023 Iskcon flyover tragedy that claimed nine lives — to allow him to be present for his mother's scheduled surgery. Earlier, Patel was released on temporary bail for seven days, but his mother's surgery was postponed. He sought an extension of his temporary bail for two more weeks. His counsel submitted that the doctors evaluated her condition and now the surgery is likely to take place on May 26. The state govt opposed the request, and the prosecutor argued that "the date of surgery has been fixed as per the convenience of the mother of the applicant. Earlier, when the operation was postponed, the applicant did not immediately surrender. Subsequently, on May 18, he was taken by the police to the jail authority". After the hearing, Justice L S Pirzada ordered the release of Patel for four days – from the morning of May 26 until the evening of May 29 – with a police escort. "It is clarified that on May 26, 2025, if the operation of the mother of the applicant is not performed or postponed, the present applicant must surrender to the jail authority immediately without fail." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mixed reactions as trial run for new traffic plan begins
1 2 3 4 5 6 Patna: A trial run of the new traffic plan was implemented on Sunday at Station Road for various public transports, including autos, e-rickshaws, cabs, and buses, following the inauguration of the pedestrian subway and multi-modal hub. This caused some inconvenience to drivers and passengers. Many passengers carrying luggage were unaware of where to go to find commercial vehicles. Some were waiting at the Station Road roundabout, while others were confused about where to get autos and e-rickshaws from the multi-modal hub after booking their vehicles. The trial run would continue for a week. There were many passengers who praised the new facilities and hoped that the govt would ensure maintenance of the subway and multi-modal hub. Patna Traffic SP Aprajit Lohan told TOI that there was significant improvement due to the augmented facilities. "The traffic jam at Station Road and the roundabout was less, as the traffic pressure was dispersed to different places. As a result, pressure increased between pillars 13 and 14 towards Goria Toli, Patna GPO, from where the vehicles are exiting from the multi-modal hub, and Budh Marg near the Iskcon temple," he said. "To ensure that there is no traffic congestion on other routes, extra cops will be deployed at traffic pressure points from Monday. An additional 15 officers and 40 constables will be deployed to manage the traffic pressure. Secondly, we noticed that there was confusion about whether private buses were allowed inside the multi-modal hub, but now it's clear that both govt and private buses will operate from inside, which will clear the pressure on Budh Marg," the SP said. Lohan further said that the main issue now was that passengers aren't aware of where to find autos. "People either wait on the ground floor or take the buses. We informed all union members to use megaphones and volunteers to announce that autos are waiting on the first floor. Many people wait for the vehicles outside Patna Junction. There was a communication gap, but announcements will now be made at railway platforms, and people will gradually become aware," he said. Animesh Kumar Parshar, managing director of Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL) inspected the facilities on Sunday and said that there is enough space for parking vehicles. "The ground floor is for buses, the first floor for autos, and the second floor for cabs," he said. The multi-modal hub has eight gates, and the first gate is connected to the first-floor ramp. As per the new traffic route, gate 1 and gate 4 of the multi-modal hub are reserved for autos and e-rickshaws. They exit from gate 4 towards R-Block. Gate number 2, which leads to New Market Road, and gate number 8 (Budh Marg) are reserved for bus entry only. Buses exit from gate number 5 after moving clockwise inside. Upon exit, all buses turn right towards R-Block. Only private vehicles are allowed towards the station. Raj Kumar Jha, general secretary of Bihar State Auto-Chalak Sangh, said the auto drivers reported arguments with passengers who wanted to reach the station. "They refused to get down at the multi-modal hub and Tata Park's parking facility. Secondly, the passengers are not coming to the first floor of the multi-modal hub," he said. Nimisha Singh, a commuter, complained there is a communication gap. However, Ankit Kumar applauded the new facility.
