Gita Jayanti Rathayatra in Gandhinagar, Amhedabad

July 12, 2003

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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