London Ratha Yatra 21 July 2024 Pictures (Post No.13,467)
Date uploaded in London – 22 July 2024
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As usual thousands of people participated in the London Ratha Yatra that was held on 21 July 2024.
They walked for at least three hours from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar square via Piccadilly Circus, all major tourist spots.
Young and old, men and women, boys and girls joined in the procession dancing and singing ‘Hare Krishna’.
At Trafalgar square, thousands of tourists and devotees of Hare Krishna movement were fed with tasty prasad/lunch.
Devotees fell on road to do Namaskar (prostrated) to the Ratha. Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra were mounted on the three Ratha/Chariots and there was big enthusiasm to pull the chariots. One woman came in wheelchair with the help of a carer and yet she also wanted to touch the rope tied to the Ratha. Volunteers helped her to hold the rope for a few seconds and she also (her wheel chair) rolled with the chariot
Two English ladies approached me for knowing what it was. I asked her whether they know the English word Juggernaut. They said Yes, Yes. And I told them that came from the Lord Jagannath on the chariot. In the olden days people who fell on the road to prostrate before Lord Vishnu, were crushed by the Ratha. They moved without stopping because of the uncontrollable huge crowd in British period in India. That happened in Puri in Odisah, a state in India. But before I finished that sentence exactly at 12 noon the conches blew loudly. And the Hare Krishna slogan echoed through the famous Hyde Park, drwoning my voice. People started moving , dancing and singing. White girls were doing the dance with colourful fans in their hands. White people with shaven head and tufts started dancing up and high. Others joined them.
Lakhs of tourists on the buses, both tourist and public transport, watched the three chariots. We can see youngsters only in Chinmaya Mission lectures and Hare Krisha Ratha Yatra. In other religious events we can see only retired old people.
ISKCON devotees from far off places in England Scotland and European countries came just to have the Darshan of the Ratha.
Just a week ego the Original Ratha Yatra was held in Puri in India. Hare Krishna devotees do the Ratha Yatra in all major cities of the world. Their devotion and dedication made it very popular.
Some of the devotees were carrying pictures of the founder Sri Bhakti Vedanta Prabhupada and Hare Krishna Flags.
I have been covering the annual London Rath Yatra from 1990s. I was fortunate to cover it this yeas as well and I took more than 100 pictures with my I Pad just for you people.
Last year the Hinduja foundation organised the free food distribution. At Trafalgar Square cultural shows were held until evening.
–subham—
Tags- Ratha Yatra, London, Hare Krishna, Trafalgar Square, July 2024
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