Gita Jayanti Rathayatra in Gandhinagar

[Guest guest]

Dear Maharaja/Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila

Prabhupada! All glories to Lord of Universe!

 

We are very glad to let you know about the wonderful celebration of Gita

Jayanti Rathayatra Mahotsava arranged at Gandhinagar by ISKCON Ahmedabad. It

was three days Pandal and First Rathayatra in Gandhinagar, the capital of

Gujarat. This was the offering to Gita Jayanti, which was on 15th December.

 

Festival dates were 20, 21 and 22 December. We had Pandal Programme on all

three days from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. On the first day, around 1000 people came to

the programme from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and different nearby villages. HG

Jasomatinandan Prabhu inaugurated this three days Festival by garlanding to a

special Bhagavad-gita (6 feet x 4 feet). Then he gave a wonderful lecture on

Bhagavad-gita. It was followed by Video Show. Then everybody was served

Prasadam.

 

On the second day, we started programme by an ecstatic kirtan and it was

followed by the speech of HH Atmanivedana Swami Maharaja. HH Gopal Krsna

Goswami Maharaja directly arrived at the Pandal from Mumbai. He gave an

illuminating lecture on purpose of the human life. Then both Maharaja

distributed many Bhagavad-gita with their blessings. It was followed by a very

ecstatic kirtan led by HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja. All people joined the devotees

in that kirtan. It was followed by Video Show. Then around 1500 people took

full plate Prasadam.

 

The next day, which was the last day of the festival, we organized First

Rathayatra in Gandhinagar. We invited Governor of Gujarat and also newly

elected Chief Minister Sri Narendra Modi to flag the Rathayatra. However, it

was co-incidence that the swearing in ceremony of the Chief Minister was held

on the same time. Therefore, they all were busy for that.

 

We started Rathayatra from Panchadeva Mandir, Sec-22, Gandhinagar on 2:30pm. We

had Sri Sri Jagannath, Baldeva and Subhadra and also Sri Sri Radha Govindaji on

Ratha. Hundreds of devotees had arrived from many temples like Baroda, Surat

etc and also Padayatra devotees. The elephants, horses and big Bhagavd-gita

were the attraction for the people during Rathayatra. HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja,

HH Atmanivedana Maharaja, HG Bhurijana Prabhu, HG Basu Ghosh Prabhu, HG

Mahamantra Prabhu, HG Radha Raman Prabhu and many other devotees participated

in Rathayatra. Rathayatra ended at the Pandal, Swastik Society Maidan, Sec-27,

Gandhinagar on 6:30pm. HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja led Sandhya Arati and an

ecstatic kirtan. It was followed by the narration of Jagannath Astakam by HG

Jasomatinandan Prabhu. HH Atmanivedana Maharaja, then, gave a class on

Rathayatra ceremony. It was followed by the lecture of HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja.

He described wonderful pastimes of Jagannath, Sakshi Gopal and he emphasized on

the loving devotional services of the Lord. It was followed by book

distribution with the blessings of both Maharaja and Video Show. Then we

distributed Prasadam to 3500 people.

 

This whole event was managed by ISKCON Youth devotees under guidance of HG

Jasomatinandan Prabhu. Thus, Lord Chaitanya showered His mercy upon

Gandhinagar.

 

I'm sending Pictures attached. Due to some technical reason, this report has

been sent delayed.

 

Your servant,

Visvarupa das

ISKCON, Ahmedabad.