Subhadra and Sudarshana on Their Rath cart.

On July 7th, ISKCON Kolkata celebrated its 53rd Rath Yatra, the second-largest Rath Yatra in the world after Puri. The presiding deities, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra, were mounted on beautifully decorated chariots, a sight to behold. These chariots were then pulled through the streets by many of the thousands who participated, creating a deeply devotional scene.

The Pahundi ceremony (taking Their Lordships towards the Rath cart) started around 8.30 am, followed by a cultural program that lasted until 1 pm—then GBC member and initiating guru Jayapataka Swami and Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt. Mamata Banerjee, along with other senior Vaishnavas, led the inauguration ceremony. This year, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Victoria Square, a pond opposite the temple in Minto Park, now named Bhaktivedanta Swami Sarovar. Watch for an upcoming article about this event. Mamata Banerjee has been a supporter of ISKCON and contributed significantly to the development and construction of the temple in Mayapur.

Other senior leaders present included Bhakti Purushottam Swami, Bhakti Prachar Parivrajak Swami, Atul Krishna Das, and many more. Visitors from various backgrounds assembled to join the grand festival organized by ISKCON Kolkata. Locals, tourists, and devotees from across India and the world chanted the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra loudly, participated in the kirtans, and joyfully danced while pulling the chariots along the carefully planned path.

The parade finally reached the Gundicha Temple at TAI Brigade Ground on Park Street at around 9:45 pm, where an aarti was performed, and prasadam was distributed to all devotees. Following the procession, the festival featured elaborate arrangements, including various stalls, cultural programs, kirtan, and other events for visitors. Their Lordships will remain on a special altar for the darshan of thousands more until the Ulta Rath Yatra on July 15th, when They will return to the temple at ISKCON Kolkata.

Click here to watch the complete live telecast of ISKCON Kolkata Rath Yatra. To see a gallery of hundreds of images from the event, click here. 

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