Hare Rama, Hare Krishna! 15th Annual ISKCON ‘Balarama Ratha Yatra’ on March 3
Mangaluru: Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) which started in Mangaluru in the year 2004, is on its 15th year, where hundreds of devotees from in and around Mangaluru, and from neighbouring places throng to participate in Ratha Yatra. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a worldwide renowned spiritual and charitable organisation. It has many centres with lakhs of devotees and millions of followers around the world. It’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who pioneered in spreading the Vedic culture all around the globe had once said, “Our only aim and objective is to provide an opportunity and enlighten the society with a simple experience of a life of happiness, peace, good health, solace and all good qualities through God consciousness”.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Karunya Sagar Dasa-President of ISKCON-Arya Samaj Road-Mangaluru said, ” The ISKCON Mangaluru Branch is organising the 15th Annual Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra festival on Saturday, 3rd March 2018 at Hotel Navarathna Premises K.S.Rao Road.This is conducted in the lines of the most famous Rath Yatra of Jagannatha Puri symbolising and inviting the Lord into our hearts. The entire procession will be spiritually powered by the loud and ecstatic chanting and reciting of the Hare Krishna Hare Rama kirtans by the devotees accompanied by dancing in front of the chariot by the followers. Public can offer flowers, fruits, lamps etc to the Lord. Devotees also can spread and draw rangoli in front of their houses/shops along the Rathayatra route. Devotees from the States of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh will participate in this Grand function.”
“This function is held in the Holy presence His Holiness Shri VishwapriyaTheerthaSwamiji of AdamarumathaUdupi, His Grace Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru and Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, His Grace Sri ChanchalapatiDasa, Senior Vice President, Iskcon Bangalore & Vice Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation. His Grace Sri Rajiv Lochan Das, President Iskcon and The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Hubli and His Grace Karunya Sagar Dasa, President Iskcon and The Akshayapatra Foundation, Mangaluru will preside over the function. President of Bunts Alias Nadavara Mathru Sangha K. Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi will be the chief guest, Dr. V. Ravichandran,CEO, Diya Systems (Mangaluru) Pvt Ltd., Anil Bansal, M.D, AK Bansal Group of Companies, & Managing Partner of Renowned S.L. Shet Jewellers M.Ravindra Shet, will be the Guest of Honour.” added Karunya Sagar Dasa
Member of ISKCON, Nikhilatma Dasa also speaking said, ” The inaugural function will be held at Hotel Navarathna Premises K.S Rao Road. On this occasion Prize distribution for the Winners of The District level Krishna Contest will be given at 4.00 p.m. The colourful Ratha Yatra procession will be flagged off after an inaugural special puja at 05.00 p.m. The majestically decorated and illuminated spectacular chariot carrying the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama will proceed from K.S. Rao Road at 05.15 pm and pass through Hampankatta, K.S.Rao Road, P.V.S.Circle, M G Road, Mannagudda Road and will and culminate at Shri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Kudroli, Mangalore at 08.00 p.m. followed by Sankirtan and MahaMangalaArati and serving of prasadam by the volunteers to the devotees.”. Shashikala K, the media co-ordinator for ISKCON was also present during the press meet.
