Preparations are in full swing for the much-anticipated Rath Yatra festival at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata, set to take place on July 7. This year's event is particularly special as it marks the 53rd edition of the festival and coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada Maharaj.
Kolkata is gearing up for a grand celebration featuring vibrant processions. Ornate chariots carrying the deities of Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra will travel through the streets, accompanied by enthusiastic chants and devotional songs.
Meanwhile, ISKCON Visakhapatnam is also organizing the 'Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra' on the 'Aashada Shukla Dvitiya Tithi,' reflecting the revered Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra tradition. The event will include three separate chariots for Sri Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra, each adorned with mechanized collapsible canopies. The procession will start at 4 p.m. from VUDA Park on Beach Road and move through RK Beach, Kali Mandir, Ramakrishna Mission, and All India Radio (AIR), ending at Gurajada Kalakshetram in Siripuram.
Radharaman Das, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, emphasized the festival's significance, stating, "After Puri, the Kolkata Rath Yatra is the largest in the world. Last year, over 2 million people participated in the 9-day festival. The three chariots used in the procession are very special and have a unique design."
The Rath Yatra route in Kolkata extends 6 to 7 kilometers from the ISKCON Kolkata temple, and the 'Ulta Rath Yatra,' or reverse procession, will follow on July 15. Das mentioned, "Every year, the number of participants increases by two to three lakhs. Since 2 million people attended last year, we are preparing for 2.3 to 2.4 million participants this year."
He also highlighted the support from the administration, stating, "The Chief Minister personally inaugurates the event each year, significantly aiding the festival, especially in terms of security."
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