20080104-05 16^th Annual Śrī Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā

Home base: Śrī Māyāpur Candrodaya Mandir, Māyāpur, India

Camp: Coimbatore ISKCON 16^th Annual Ratha-yātrā Festival (Tamil Nadu, South India)

The 4^th afternoon we flew to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu State, India by a direct flight from Singapore. I was met by Sarvaiśvarya dāsa (Bhaktivinoda Swami) and about 9 devotees in the airport. We were the first in line at customs and immigration. It was nice to come directly to Coimbatore as usually we have to transit Mumbai, Chennai or some other Indian city to get to Coimbatore when coming from overseas.

The 5^th of January was the 16^th annual Rathayatra Festival at ISKCON Coimbatore. Coimbatore is the 2^nd important city in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is an important industrial hub on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala States. Many devotees attend the Ratha-yātrā from Bangalore, Chennai, Madurai, Kerala, and neighboring areas. The chairman of the GBC His Holiness Bhānu Swami was a special guest speaker at the functions. He is also a co-zonal secretary (GBC) for South India along with me. We also were honored by the presence of His Holiness Bhakti-vrajendra-nandana Swami ISKCON Guru from Malaysia.

At the inaugeral function our Chief Guest was His Worship Thiru. Veṅkaṭācalam, the Mayor of Coimbatore, other special guests were: Vice-Chancellor of Anna University Dr. Radha Krishnan and Dr. Bhaktavatsala the head of Kingdom of God (KG) Hospital. A local municipal councillor also came. I sat down in a central chair and kept my leg raised as per my Doctor's orders. Each speaker was duly garlanded and each spoken very positively praising ISKCON and recommending everyone chant Hare Kṛṣṇa as an easy process given by His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda. I also spoke about Lord Jagannātha. Then the VIP's led by the Mayor broke coconuts to wish Lord Jagannātha a smooth journey. The Mayor was crowned with a colorful decorated Turban and asked to sweep the road. He gladly accepted and officially inaugerated the procession in this traditional and ceremonial manner. All the other VIP guests also swept the road with the golden broom. I climbed the chariot and took my seat behind Śrīla Prabhupāda.

In the centre of the old town all the wires were disconnected so that the ratha could smoothly go around the route. There was a hefty contingent of Police to maintain the Law and Order of the procession. Midway around the route there was a sensitive Mosque and they kept pushing the local leaders to keep moving so that the procession would pass the Mosque before they started their 1630 (4:30PM) afternoon namaz prayers. We passed the Mosque 10 minutes ahead of time so then after that the Police were fairly calm. A day or two earlier some Mosque was the target of a practical joke so things were a little tense with the police as they didn't want any repercussions on ISKCON's landmark procession in either direction.

Up to this point I had been riding the Chariot. I got down and walked for about 30-40 minutes and led a kīrtana. The Police cordoned me off for security reasons. Only the mṛdaṅga players were allowed inside the cordon. I chanted the holy names of Lord Jagannātha, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Then I went back to the Hall were the Ratha-yātrā would observe its cultural and spiritual programs. I bathed and rested with my leg raised high so it could rest and heal.

I gave a lecture on Bhagavad-gītā verse on buddhi-yoga and tried to interest the audience to take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness more seriously. All the members of the audience raised there hands when we asked them who wanted to get back to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa! The people were very favorable. After the lecture I handed out some Narasiṁha Oil and was literally mobbed by many eager devotees extending their hands out to me for the sacred oil. Tomorrow we have another program where I will be giving a seminar and also a class. The hall was full with over a thousand devotees attending. Maybe several thousands, but I couldn't count them all. It was nice to be able to participate in some preaching programs. At the same time I am trying not to strain my leg too much so that it can heal.

Your Well Wisher Always,

Jayapatākā Swami