Artists attending a cultural performance on Friday during Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra in Vijayawada. | Photo Credit: Gn Rao
In the pulsating and spiritually charged atmosphere of Iskcon Vijayawad on Friday, Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra with pompon and devotion organized. The event began with the ceremonial Ratha Puja on the Sitara area, followed by the Grand Chariot procession. Yatra saw the enthusiastic participation of devotees from devotees in good numbers, ensembles of artists and devoted from various Indian countries and foreign countries.
Artists attending cultural performances on Friday during Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra in Vijayawada. | Photo Credit: Gn Rao
Chariot, carrying the Divine Trio – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra – went through a specially prepared gundich Mandir near Seethamma Vari Paadal.
The wheel, covering the distance of almost 6 kilometers, was devoted to the amazing devotion. Citizens decorated the streets of Rangoli and traditional motifs and welcomed the deities at every step. Prominent political leaders, industrialists and cultural figures were seen as the streets with gold brooms and petrol showering sweep as an act of humility and devotion.
Many merchants and households along the route have done Harati as the carriage passed. The entire Yatra distribution of Prasadam continued in a continuous course, while President Iskcon Sriman Chakradhari Das and the CEO of Laila Sri Gokaraju supervised the service directly from the car, which became a special highlight of the event.
Rath Yatra triggered memories of the world famous Puri Rath Yatra, and the locals noted that Vijayawad’s version brought this divine atmosphere closer to home. Vijayawada West Mla Sujan Chowdary led the rituals by offering the first Harati and showing traditional Chera Pahara Seva – symbolically sweeping in front of the gentleman’s car with a golden bone.
Sriman Revati Raman was present, industrialist Thondep Hanumantha Rao and others.
Published – 27th June 2025 21:25
