India
“Lord Jagannath’s Grand Fiesta: 53rd Kolkata Rathyatra Celebrates with 9days Extravaganza”
By : PARTHA ROY
53rd Kolkata Rathyatra , world’s 2nd largest after Puri in Odisha , will begin on 7th July 2024 and will end with Ulta Rathyatra on 15th July 2024. An estimated 2.4 -2.9 million people are expected participate.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the 53rd Kolkata Rathyatra on 7th July 2024 at ISKCON Temple at Albert Road in Kolkata in the afternoon. A press conference was organized by ISKCON ‘s three Vice Presidents – Radharaman Das ,Vallava Chaitanya Das ,Ananga Mohan Das ( Chairman of ISKCON ‘Kolkata Yatra and Dayaram Das ( Temple President ).
The founder Acharya of ISKCON, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, started the first Rathayatra under ISKCON banner in India and Kolkata in 1972. Today, ISKCON organizes Rathayatras in over 700 cities and towns in more than 150 countries.The first-ever Rathayatra in the western world was organized in San Francisco on July 9, 1967, by Srila Prabhupada. Since then, the festival has spread to many other countries. By 1975, it had become so popular that the Mayor of San Francisco issued a formal proclamation celebrating Rathayatra Day.
Lord Jagannath, along with His Divine siblings, Balabhdra and Subhdra Devi will stay at Brigade Parade Ground from July 8 to 14, 2024, where a grand mela is being organized. Hot kichadi prasadam will be served daily from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Prominent artists from India and abroad, including Padma award-winning dancers, will perform daily. Cultural programs, including dance, drama, kirtans, shadow dance, and pravachans will be held daily.
West Bengal Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate a park with water body which is named after Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on 7th July opposite ISKCON Albert Road. in Kolkata .
