About 1,000 devotees and visitors pulled the chariot. 

This September, ISKCON Croatia celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Zagreb Ratha Yatra and the Maha-Abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada as the closing ceremonies. In 1983, ISKCON was registered in Zagreb not only for Croatia but for the whole of former Yugoslavia. Besides the devotees from all parts of Croatia, devotees from the Slovenian, Bosnian and Serbian yatras also joined the celebration.

The celebration started with the 9th Zagreb Ratha Yatra, attracting the attention of numerous citizens and tourists in the centre of Zagreb. The public traffic was temporarily stopped at some streets for Lord Jaganatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra to proceed and distribute Their mercy.

The second part of the celebration was held in a big semi-open tent at one of the central squares of Zagreb, which included the public Maha-abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada’s murti. The ceremonial bathing of our Founder-Acarya was performed with purified waters of Croatian rivers, lakes, and the sea, symbolizing a strong connection of ISKCON Croatia and its members with Srila Prabhupada.

More than 1,000 people circulated through the tent during Saturday’s sunny afternoon, hearing the Maha-mantra and devotional speeches as well as observing traditional dances, stands with Srila Prabhupada books, and finally, the unique ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s abhisheka.

The celebration was honoured by the ambassador of the Republic of India to Croatia, Zagreb city officials and other representatives, university professors, and other dignitaries. The president of the Republic of Croatia sent a letter with his greetings. The event was covered by journalists whose reports were positive and affirmative.

Six hundred books and 2,000 Maha-mantra cards were distributed during the celebration, while more than 1,000 people received prasadam. Some of those who were in touch with Srila Prabhupada that day will hopefully join us as devotees next year for the historic 10th Ratha yatra in Zagreb.