FESTIVAL REVIEW

The Festival has come and gone!  Now, let us have your comments on your impression and experience at the festival.  Please post your comments here or email: durban.rathayatra@pamho.net

LIVE WEB-STREAMING SCHEDULE

Watch the following selection of kirtans, dramas and lectures live on the internet - direct from the festival!

Visit: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/durban-ratha-yatra

Please note that times reflected are local South African time (GMT+2hours)

FRIDAY

OPEN AIR STAGE                              7.05pm – 7.15pm             Martial arts

                                                         7.20pm – 7.35pm             Drama: Chaitanya’s Verses

                                                         7.40pm – 8.15pm             Kirtan by Madhava & BB Govinda Swami

MAIN STAGE                                      8.25pm – 9.25pm             Drama: The Jagannath Story

SATURDAY

OPEN AIR STAGE                              6.15pm – 7pm                   Arati & kirtan by Maha Vishnu Swami

                                                         7.05pm – 7.15pm             Baratha Natyam dances

                                                         7.20pm – 8.20pm             Kirtan by Madhava & BB Govinda Swami

MAIN STAGE                                      8.55pm – 9.55pm             Drama: Gods and Demons

SUNDAY

Q&A      (Tent A)                                               3.45pm – 5pm                   Bhakti Caitanya Swami

OPEN AIR STAGE                              5.05pm – 5.50pm             Music by Golden Age

                                                                5.55pm – 6.10pm             Dances

                                                                6.15pm – 7pm                   Arati & kirtan by Kadamba Kanana Swami

                                                                7.05pm – 7.15pm             Martial arts

                                                                7.20pm – 8.15pm             Kirtan by Indradyumna Swami

                                                                8.20pm – 10pm                 Kirtan by Madhava & BB Govinda  Swami

MONDAY

4-5.30pm                             General festival atmosphere and start of night parade

7.30pm                                 Final kirtan

YOUTH LOUNGE PROGRAMME

Friday:12.30pm Open Tent
1.00pm-1.45pm Mantra Fusion with Cape Town boys
2.00pm-2.30pm Interview with Amala Harinama
(Croatian music producer)
3.00pm-3.30pm Poetry Slam- Letting your soul speak
4.00pm- 4.45pm Interview with Jayadvaita Swami
(Too Young for spiritual life?)
5.00pm-5.30pm Acoustic Vibrations by the Hinds Brothers
5.45pm- 6.15pm Battle of the Rappers- Golden Age (God does not exist?)
6.30pm-7.15pm Sacred Space with Kadamba Kanana Swami
7.30pm-8.00pm Interview with martial arts expert, Dina Dayal
8.30pm-9.00pm Drumming circle with Mayapur, Gaura, and RupaSaturday:12.30pm Open tent
1.00pm-1.45pm Mantra Fusion with Pretoria boys
2.00pm-2.30pm Interview with Bhava Bhakti and Savyasaci
(Addicted to Krishna)
2.45pm-3.30pm Interview with a Traveling Monk, Indradyumna Swami
4.00pm-4.30pm Interactive dance session with Bhakti Marg Swami
5.00pm-5.20pm Sketch- "After The End"
5.45pm-6.30pm Interview with BB Govinda Swami
(Journey to the Heart of the Holy Name)
6.45pm-7.15pm Battle of the Rappers- Golden Age
(Freewill vs Destiny)
7.30pm-8.00pm Music therapy with Vraj Krsna
8.30pm-9.00pm Mantra Fusion with BYS studentsSunday:12.30pm Open tent
1.00pm-1.45pm Mantra Fusion with KB Youth group
2.00pm-2.30pm Interview with Imani from Namibia
3.00pm-3.30pm Poetry Slam: Letting your soul speak
4.00pm-4.45pm Interview with Kadamba Kanana Swami
(How I found Krishna in India)
5.00pm-5.20pm: Rap off with Golden Age (Mind vs Intelligence)
5.45pm-6.15pm Sketch-"After The End"
6.30pm-7.15pm Music session with Madhava (Switzerland)
"The Power of Sound"
7.30pm-8.00pm "Are the scriptures outdated"
with Bhakti Caitanya Swami
8.30pm-9.00pm Mantra Fusion with Bhava Bhakti Monday:12.30pm Open tent
1.00pm-1.45pm Drumming circle with Mayapur and Gaura
2.00pm-2.30pm Interview with Dina Dayal-A Spiritual Warrior
3.00pm-3.30pm Music Therapy with Vraja Krsna
4.00pm-4.45pm Interactive dance session with Bhakti Marg Swami 5.00pm-5.20pm Battle of the Rappers with Golden Age
(God is the Source)
5.45pm-6.30pm "Shelter in the Spiritual Sky" by Madhava
6.45pm-7.15pm Looking Back- Musical Encore
7.30pm-8.00pm Mantra Fusion with Bhava Bhakti

MAIN TENT - CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Friday:12.00pm - 12.45pm Vaisnava bhajans by Raghava Pandit Das
12.50pm - 1.00pm Dances by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
1.05pm - 1.25pm Hatha yoga performances (Ukraine)
1.30pm - 2.10pm Tamil and Telegu bhajans by Krishnamurti Naidoo
2.15pm - 2.30pm Dances by Kumari Celestine and Kumari Bryann
2.35pm - 3.20pm Bhajans
3.25pm - 3.40pm Bharata Natyam dances by Dipika Naidoo
3.45pm - 4.40pm Bhajans by Shashika Mooruth
4.45pm - 5.30pm Kirtan and talk
by HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavat Swami (SA)
5.35pm - 5.45pm Martial arts performance by Dina Dayal (Estonia)
5.50pm - 6.05pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Natyamani Letoya Cebeli Xaba
6.10pm - 6.55pm Hindi bhajans by Keeran Eshwarlall
7.00pm -7.15pm Kathak dances by Anandini Padayachee
7.20pm - 8.00pm Kirtan and talk by Jayadvaita Swami (USA)
8.05pm -8.20pm Baratha Natyam dances
by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
8.25pm - 9.25pm Drama - "The Jagannath Story"Saturday:12 pm - 12.45pm Vaisnava bhajans by Vraj Krishna Das
12.50pm - 1.05pm Bharata Natyam dances by Dipika Naidoo
1.10pm - 1.40pm Transcendental Acoustic Vibrations
by the Hinds Brothers
1.45pm -2.00pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
2.05pm - 2.50pm Kirtan and talk by Nrsimhananda Das (SA)
2.55pm - 3.30pm Music by Golden Age (Soweto)
3.35pm - 3.50pm Thalavadyam by students of Pregalathan Singaram
3.55pm - 4.10pm Bharata Natyam dances
by P&Y Singaram Kala Kendra
4.15pm - 5.15pm Tansen Nepal Showband
5.20pm - 6.20pm Tamil and Telegu bhajans by Vijalaksmi Balakrishna
6.25pm - 6.40pm Hatha Yoga performances (Ukraine)
6.45pm - 7.30pm Kirtan and talk by Indradyumna Swami (USA)
7.35pm - 7.45pm Martial arts performance by Dina Dayal (Estonia)
7.50pm -8.50pm Music by Shashika Mooruth and Keeran Eshwarlall
8.55pm - 9.55pm Drama: Gods and DemonsSunday:12.00pm - 12.45pm Vaisnava Bhajans by Bhava Bhakti Dasi
12.50pm - 1.05pm Dances by Natyamani Letoya Cebile Xaba
1.10pm - 2.00pm Tamil and Telegu bhajans by
Isai Selvamani Karthigasen Pillay and Party
2.05pm - 2.20pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Natyamani Tershalya Pillay
2.25pm - 3.05pm Hindi bhajans
by Veena Lutchman and Deeplal Budden
3.10pm - 4.00pm Kirtan and talk by Savyasaci Das (Swaziland)
4.05pm - 4.40pm Music by Golden Age (Soweto)
4.45pm- 5.45pm Kirtan by Madhava (Switzerland)
5.50pm - 6.05pm Hatha Yoga performances (Ukraine)
6.10pm -6.20pm Martial arts by Dina Dayal (Estonia)
6.25pm -7.10pm Tamil and Telegu bhajans by Kamini Moodley
7.15pm - 7.25pm Kathak dances by Harishka Maharaj
7.30pm - 8.25pm Kirtan and talk
by Kadamba Kanana Swami (Holland)
8.30pm -8.45pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
8.50pm - 9.50pm Drama: The Jagannath StoryMonday:12.00pm - 12.45pm Vaisnava bhajans by Vraj Krishna Das
12.50pm - 1.05pm Dances by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
1.15pm - 1.45pm Bhajans by Krishnastami Das
1.50pm - 2.05pm Dances by Kumari Celestine and Kumari Bryann
2.10pm - 2.55pm Interviews with Haridev Das
3.00pm -3.50pm Kirtan and talk by Bhava Bhakti Dasi (SA)
3.55pm - 4.10pm Hatha Yoga performances (Ukraine)
4.15pm - 4.50pm Hindi bhajans by Sanjeet Teeluck
4.55pm - 5.05pm Martial arts by Dina Dayal (Estonia)
5.10pm - 5.45pm Music by Ramesh Manilall
5.50pm - 6.00pm Kathak dances by Anandini Padayachee
6.05pm - 6.20pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
6.25pm -7.10pm Kirtan and talk by Siddhi Lalasa Dasi (Mauritius)
7.15pm - 8.15pm Drama: Gods and Demons

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TENT SCHEDULE

Friday:12.00pm - 1.30pm Tantalising International buffet by Saksi Gopal Das
2.30pm - 4.00pm Weight loss using nutrition basics by Alan Wohrnitz
5.00pm - 6.30pm Savouries and Sweets by Asha Maharaj
7.30pm - 9.00pm Raise your Immunity against Chronic Diseases &
prevent Premature Aging by Dr Vijay Mittal (Ayurvedic doctor)Saturday:12.00pm - 1.30pm Ekadasi made easy by Vaidarbhi Dasi
2.30pm - 4.00pm Balanced Nutrition for Vegetarians by Alan Wohrntiz
5.00pm - 6.30pm Dinner for the Lord by Ananda Chandrika Dasi
7.30pm - 9.00pm Quick and Easy meals by Asha MaharajSunday:12.00pm - 1.30pm Homeopathy for healthy living, helping your body
heal itself by Dr Poonam Maharaj
2.30pm - 4.00pm Parathas and Curries by Asha Maharaj
5.00pm - 6.30pm Taking the fuss out of the school lunch box
by Ananda Chandrika Dasi
7.30pm - 9.00pm Pizzas and Pastas by Mrinalini DasiMonday:12.00pm - 1.30pm Special Occasion Cakes by Vaidarbhi Dasi
2.30pm - 4.00pm Homeopathic perspective on diabetes and heart
health by Dr Poonam Maharaj (Homeopath)
5.00pm - 6.30pm Sizzling Vegetarian Barbeque by Saksi Gopal Das
7.30pm - 9.00pm Medicinal value of household foods and spices to
maintain optimum health by Dr Vijay Mittal

MULTI-MEDIA SCHEDULE

Friday 12:00 Bajarangabali
15:05 Gopal Krishna
17:20 World of Hare Krishna 1
18:25 The Art of Successful Living (live presentation)
19:30 Haridas Thakur
21:00 Krishna - animated Saturday 12:00 Tulasi Vivaha
14:20 Krishna and Sudama
16:05 Vedic Ecology - a practical approach (live presentation)
17:15 Vaisnava melodies (live presentation)
18:35 Gods, Demigods and Incarnations
20:00 Mother Ganga
21:00 Krishna - animated Sunday 12:00 Himalayan Pilgrimage
13:00 Moon Landing
14:05 Hari Darshan
15:45 World of Hare Krishna 2
16:45 Natural Disasters - A Vedic perspective (live presentation)
18:00 Meera
20:00 Ramayana - animated Monday 12:00 Prabhupada - A life time in preparation
13:00 Hanuman (animated)
14:30 Vaastu (live presentation)
15:30 Vaisnava melodies (live presentation)
16:45 Thief and the Deity
18:45 Lost Village
19:40 Krishna - animated
20:20 Bal Ganesh - animated

DRAMA SCHEDULES

Lookout for Dramas produced

by Bhakti Marg Swami

Chaitanya’s Verses (Open Air)

Saturday: 7.20pm – 7.35pm

Monday: 7.20pm – 7.35pm

The Jagannath Story (Main Stage)

Monday: 8.25pm – 9.25pm

Sunday: 8.50pm – 9.50pm

Gods and Demons (Main Stage)

Saturday: 8.55pm – 9.55pm

Monday: 7.15pm – 8.15pm

LITTLE GOKUL CHILDREN'S VILLAGE PROGRAMME

Yasoda's Kitchen:Features of Mother Yashoda’s kitchen: Re-live the pastimes of Lord Krishna in a replica of Mother Yashoda’s kitchen by preparing and enjoying delicious treats! Pandava Hero Camp: Practice archery whilst wandering through the pages of the Mahabharat and meet the heroes of Vedic times. Radha Nikunj: Walk through Radharani’s secret grove and be transformed into a gopi or gopa of Gokul Village. Other highlights in Village Square: Kathak & Bharata Natyam dances, Yoga, Crafts, Playing musical instruments, Garland making, Puppet Shows (Friday, Saturday, Sunday 15h30) Children’s Plays: Krishna, The Lord Of Mathura: Friday and Sunday (6.30pm) Agha, The Terrible Demon, A Musical Pantomine: Saturday (6.30pm): Monday (3.30pm) Session Times for: Mother Yashoda’s Kitchen, Radha Nikunj, Pandava Hero Camp Friday to Sunday (22,23,24 April) 12:15pm; 1:30pm; 2:45pm; 4:00pm; 5:15pm Monday (25 April) : 12:15pm; 1:30pm; 2:45pm; 5:00pm; 6:15pm

LORD JAGANNATH'S OPEN AIR STAGE PROGRAMME

Friday 12.00pm - 4.45pm Kirtans by various devotees
4.50pm - 5.00pm Dances by Dipika Naidoo
5.05pm - 5.50pm Kirtan by Krishna Balaram Youth group
5.55pm - 6.10pm Dances by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
6.15pm -7.00pm Arati and Kirtan by Savyasaci Das (Swaziland)
7.05pm - 7.15pm Martial arts by Dina Dayal Das (Estonia)
7.20pm - 7.35pm Drama: Chaitanya’s Verses
7.40pm - 10.00pm: Kirtan by Madhava (Switzerland) &
Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami (USA)
Saturday 12.00pm - 4.00pm Kirtans by various devotees
4.00pm - 4.45pm Kirtan by Krishna Balaram Youth Group
4.50pm - 5.00pm Dances by Anandini Padayachee
5.05pm - 5.50pm Golden Age (Soweto)
5.55pm - 6.10pm Martial Arts by Dina Dayal Das (Estonia)
6.15pm -7.00pm Arati and Kirtan by Maha Vishnu Swami (England)
7.05pm - 7.15pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
7.20pm - 10.00pm Kirtan by Madhava (Switzerland) &
Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami (USA)
Sunday 12.00pm - 4.00pm Kirtans by various devotees
4.00pm - 4.45pm Bhajans by Krishna Balaram Youth Group
4.50pm - 5.00pm Dances by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
5.05pm - 5.50pm Music by Golden Age (Soweto)
5.55pm - 6.10pm Dances by Harishka Maharaj
6.15pm -7.00pm Arati and Kirtan by Kadamba Kanana Swami (Holland)
7.05pm - 7.15pm Martial arts by Dina Dayal Das (Estonia)
7.20pm - 8.15pm Kirtan by Indradyumna Swami (USA)
8.20pm - 10.00pm Kirtan by Madhava (Switzerland) &
Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami (USA)
Monday 12.00pm - 4.00pm Kirtans by various devotees
4.00pm - 4.45pm Music by Krishna Balaram Youth Group
4.50pm - 5.00pm Bharata Natyam dances
by Sanatani and Sivanjali (Russia)
5.05pm - 5.50pm Acoustic Vibrations with the Hinds brothers
5.55pm - 7.00pm Kirtan with Vraj Krishna Das
7.05pm - 7.15pm Martial arts by Dina Dayal Das (Estonia)
7.20pm - 7.35pm Drama: Chaitanya’s Verses
7.40pm - 10.00pm Final Kirtan

FRIDAY PARADE ROUTE

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHARIOTS PARADE WILL START PROMPTLY AT 2PM

- Start at John Milne Street- opposite the Spice Emporium 

-Proceed and turn right into Monty Naicker Street-heading east

-Right into Sylvester Ntuli Road (later changes to Mahatma Gandhi Road)

-Left into Dr Pixley Ka Seme Road ( old West Street)

-Left into Gillespie Street

-Right into Boscombe  Road -behind the Edward & Holiday Inn South

-Proceed all the way to K E Masinga Road - turn left.

-Right into Playfair

-Right into Molyneux Road

-Turn left into O R Tambo Parade and proceed towards the Blue Water Hotel.

-Turn left into Sundile Thulsi (Old Argyle Road)

-Then left into Sylvester Ntuli Road proceeding to the Old Durban Drive In site.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.       Vegetable Cleaning at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath on Wednesday from 6pm until 8:30pm – join VRF and Thursday entire day until 9pm. Prasadam will be prepared on both evenings for devotees attending. Can bring knives if able to.

2.       Garland making at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath on Thursday from 10am until late – for chariot

3.       Chariot Decoration from 10am at start of parade from 10am to 2pm – Opposite K Haribhai’s Spice Emporium in Pine Street

4.       Parade start times...devotees must try their best to arrive on time at procession start. Will be an ongoing shuttle from site to procession start from around 12.30pm. Try not to come at just 2pm as the wait to get on to the shuttle service will be quite long. It is proper that devotees are there before the deities arrive at 2pm.

5.  Unfortunately we cannot accommodate children on the chariot. Please do not leave children or ask to leave children on the chariots.

6.  Free bus service from the RRTemple to site (departure times - Umesh) and back to RRT (departure from site times - Umesh)

7.  Arrival of senior devotees:

- Bhakti Marg Swami tomorrow

- Jayadvaita Swami on Wednesday

- Rama Govinda Swami on Wednesday

- BB Bhagavat Swami on Wednesday

- Bhakti Caitanya Swami returns to Durban tomorrow

- BB Govinda Swami arrives on Wednesday

- Mahavisnu Maharaj either on Friday or Saturday

8.  All the tents for the festival have been erected - so tent co-ordinators are requested to start preparing their tents so that we are ready for operation by Thursday midday. If anyone is able to help in the evenings and during the days, please do go to the RY festival site and engage setting up tents there.

9.       Festivals times are from 12pm to around 10pm daily

SAFFRON TV ADVERT ON AIR FROM 8TH APRIL

APPEARANCE OF LORD JAGANNATHA

The significance of Jagannatha Puri and the story of how the Deities first appeared goes back many hundreds of years to the time of King Indradyumna, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. It is related that one time in his court the King heard from a devotee about an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, named Nila-madhava. (Nila-madhava is the Deity form of Lord Vishnu.) The King very much wanted to see this form of the Supreme and sent many Brahmanas to search for Nila-madhava. All came back unsuccessful except for Vidyapati, who did not come back at all. He had wandered to a distant town which was populated by a tribe of people known as Shabaras of non-Aryan heritage. He had stayed in the house of Visvasu, and later, at Visvasu's request, married his daughter, Lalita.
After some time Vidyapati noticed that Visvasu would leave the house every night and return at noon the next day. Vidyapati asked his wife about this. Though her father had ordered her not to tell anyone, she told Vidyapati that Visvasu would go in secret to worship Nila-madhava. After repeated requests, Vidyapati finally got permission to go see Nila-madhava, only if he went blindfolded. But Vidyapati's wife had bound some mustard seeds in his cloth so that a trail could be left to follow later. When they reached the shrine, Vidyapati saw the Deity Nila-madhava after the Shabara took off the blindfold, and he felt great ecstasy.
The story continues to relate that while Visvasu was out collecting items for worship, Vidyapati saw a bird fall into the nearby lake and drown. The soul of the bird suddenly took a spiritual form and ascended back to the spiritual world. Vidyapati wanted to do the same and climbed the tree to jump in the lake. Then a voice from the sky declared that before he jumped he should tell Indradyumna that he had found Nila-madhava.
When Visvasu returned to worship the Deity, Nila-madhava spoke and said that He had accepted the simple worship from him for so many days, but now He wanted to accept the opulent worship that would be offered by King Indradyumna. When Vidyapati went back to tell the King, Indradyumna immediately went to find Nila-madhava but could not locate Him. So the King arrested Visvasu, but a voice told him to release the Shabara and that he should build a temple on top of Nila Hill where the King would see the Lord as Daru-brahman, the wooden manifestation of the Absolute.
After great endeavor, King Indradyumna built the temple at Sri Kshetra, now known as Jagannatha Puri, and later prayed to Lord Brahma to consecrate it. However, Lord Brahma said that it was not within his power to consecrate the temple since Sri Kshetra is manifested by the Supreme's own internal potency and is where the Lord manifests Himself. So Brahma simply put a flag on top of the temple and blessed it, saying that anyone who from a distance saw the flag and offered obeisances would easily be liberated from the material world. Nonetheless, after much waiting the King became anxious since Nila-madhava had not manifested Himself. Thinking his life was useless, the King decided he should end his life by fasting. But in a dream the Lord said that He would appear floating in from the sea in His form as Daru-brahman.
The King went to the shore and found a huge piece of wood that had the markings of a conch, disc, club, and lotus. This was Daru-brahman. But try as they might, the men could not budge the wood. In a dream the Lord spoke to the King and instructed him to get Visvasu and put a golden chariot in front of Daru-brahman. After doing this and forming a kirtana party to chant the holy names, and praying for Daru-brahman to mount the chariot, Daru-brahman was easily moved. Lord Brahma performed a sacrifice where the present temple now stands and installed a Deity of Lord Narasimhadeva, the Deity that is now on the western side of the temple.
From the wooden Daru-brahman, the King requested many expert carvers to carve the form of the Deity, but none could do so for their chisels immediately broke when they touched the wood. Finally the architect of the demigods, Visvakarma, (some say the Lord Himself) arrived as an old artist, Ananta Maharana, and promised that he would carve the Deity form of the Lord inside the temple in three weeks if the King would allow him to work behind closed doors. But after 14 days the King became very anxious because he could no longer hear the sounds of the carving. Finally he could stand it no more. On the advice of the queen he personally opened the doors of the temple to see what was happening. Then he saw the forms of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama, and Lady Subhadra. But because the King had opened the doors sooner than he was supposed to, the Deities were not completed; Their feet and hands had not yet been carved. Thus, the Supreme manifested Himself in this form.
The King felt he had committed a great offense for having opened the doors before the allotted three weeks had passed, so he decided to end his life. But in a dream Lord Jagannatha told the King that though he had broken his promise, this was just a part of the Supreme's pastimes to display this particular form. The King was told that this form, even though it appeared to be incomplete, was actually the form of the Lord that was meant to be worshiped in this age of Kali-yuga. Occasionally the King could decorate the Deity with golden hands and feet. Yet those devotees filled with love would always see the form of Lord Jagannatha as the threefold bending form of Syamasundara, Krishna, holding a flute. Thus, the Supreme appeared in this form so that people could approach and see Him, especially as He rides through town on the huge carts during the Ratha-Yatra festival.

CITY OF JAGANNATH PURI

Jagannatha Puri, a town of 75,000, is one of the most important pilgrimage centers and one of the four holiest cities in India. These four cities are Badrinatha in the north, Dvaraka in the west, Ramesvaram in the south, and Puri in the east. Badrinarayan in Badrinatha was especially worshiped in Satya-yuga, Rama in Ramesvaram in Treta-yuga, Dvarakanatha in Dvaraka was especially worshiped in Dvapara-yuga, but Lord Jagannatha in Puri can be worshiped by everyone in Kali-yuga. In fact, the importance of Jagannatha Puri, sometimes called Purushottama-Ksetra, is explained in chapters 52 through 57 of the Uttarabhaga section of the Narada Purana. There we find it stated that simply by visiting Puri, which is rarely achieved except for those who have performed many pious acts, and by seeing the Deity of Jagannatha (Krishna), one can easily attain freedom from future births and reach the spiritual abode.
In the middle of this city is the large temple dedicated to Lord Krishna as Jagannatha, meaning "Lord of the Universe." From the Skanda Purana we get information that the original construction of the first Jagannatha temple was in Satya-yuga, millions of years ago. It is related that Lord Jagannatha told Maharaja Indradyumna that He first appeared in the Svayambhuva manvantara of the first part of Satya-yuga, on the full moon day, after being pleased by devotion. This is about 153 million years ago. Then Brahma installed the Deities in the temple. This appearance is celebrated by the Snana Purnima, or Snana-Yatra, which is the public bathing of Lord Jagannatha, His brother Balarama, and His sister Subhadra. The celebrated Ratha-Yatra festival is said to have started in the time of Svarochisha Manu, or the second manvantara period, and is predicted to continue until the end of the second half of Lord Brahma's lifetime. Even in the Ramayana by Valmiki Muni (Uttara Khanda 108.30) it is related that when Lord Rama was getting ready to leave this world he told Vibhishan, Ravana's younger brother, that in His absence he should worship Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the Iksvaku dynasty.
The Skanda Purana also fixes the date of the Ratha-Yatra festival, which should be celebrated on the second day of the bright fortnight if the month of Ashadha, a day called Pushyami Nakshatra by astrological calculations. The Padma Purana describes (as related in Sanatana Goswami's Dig Darshini Tika to his Brihad-Bhagavatamrita, 2.1.159) that in Purushottama-kshetra, or Jagannatha Puri, the supremely blissful Personality of Godhead pretends to be made of wood. In this way, although the Lord takes on what appears to be a material form, it is completely spiritual by the causeless mercy of the Lord for the conditioned souls who cannot perceive the transcendental domain.
The main temple building, called Sri Mandir, was built in the 12th century by King Chodaganga Deva, though the site goes back much farther as described above. This is a huge complex where buildings house as many as 5,000 priests and assistants. The whole compound is surrounded by a thick stone wall 20 feet tall that encloses an area 665 feet by 640 feet. The wall has four large gates, one on each side. The additional smaller buildings were added after the 16th century. The main temple, which reaches 215 feet in height, is where we find the six foot tall Deities of Jagannatha, Balarama, and the shorter Subhadra. They stand on a five foot high throne facing the pilgrims as they enter the temple room. Outside the main temple hall are over 100 smaller shrines dedicated to the various demigods. There is an arati ceremony six times a day from 4 AM to 9 PM when devotees come in for darshan of the Deities, in which they sing, chant, or worship the Deities in ecstasy. As many as 50,000 people come to the Jagannatha temple in a day. Unfortunately, foreigners are not allowed into the temple grounds, but you can get a look at the temple from the roof of the Raghunandan Library across the street for a donation.
The temple compound also has a huge kitchen, employing over 650 cooks and helpers who make hundreds of vegetarian preparations for the 54 separate offerings that are given to the Deities every day. After the food is given to the Deities it becomes prasada, or the Lord's mercy. By taking such spiritually powerful food it is said that one becomes more and more spiritually surcharged and free from past karma. Much of the prasada is sold or given to people who depend on the temple. When I had my ricksha driver buy some for me, I got a basket with several clay pots filled with a variety of rice, vegetable, dahl, and sweet preparations. It was absolutely delicious and was enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two days. Taking this prasada at Puri is to partake in a tradition that goes back thousands of years and is considered especially purifying. It is said that only by Krishna's grace does one get the opportunity to receive the remnants of food offered to Him.

WANT TO BE A FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER? PLENTY OF SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES!

If you would like to be a volunteer, serving at the festival, then there are endless opportunties..... As the festival spans over 4 days and there are over 40 tents - from food outlets, cooking demos, free meal serve-outs to Indian emporium, Spiritual discussions, cultural entertainment performances.... We will really appreciate your assistance.

Please contact any of the members of the Festival Organising Committee.  We will gladly find a service to suit your personality and interest.  Thank you!

The Ratha Yatra Committee members are:

Swarup Damodar Das (0837783328) - sdd@pamho.net

Vibhu Caitanya Das -  vcd@pamho.net

Balaram Das (0828814521)

Ramvijay Das (0845504101) - rajiv@nitai.co.za

Champakalata Dasi (0828242203) - champakalata@telkomsa.net

Umesh Prakash (0828971382)

Upendra Ramlakan (0828992923)

WHAT IS THE FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS?

Ratha-yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, is a joyous event celebrated for thousands of years in the Indian holy city of Jagannatha Puri, and more recently by Hare Krishna devotees in cities around the world. Another name for Krishna, Jagannatha refers to the ecstatic form of the Lord with large eyes and rugged features who is carried on a gigantic chariot during this festival (and worshiped in an ancient temple at the center of Jagannath Puri.)

UNUSUAL FORM OF THE DEITIES
As the story goes, Lord Krishna once overheard a conversation about how His dearest devotees, the cowherd maidens of Vrindavana, were lamenting in His absence. When He heard these accounts of overwhelming love in separation, the Lord’s hair began to stand on end, His eyes opened wide and filled with tears, and His arms and legs contracted as He went into a state of spiritual ecstasy. Seeing Lord Krishna in this condition, His elder brother, Balarama (Baladeva), also began to feel ecstatic symptoms and displayed similar features. When Their sister, Subhadra, arrived at the scene, she too became consumed with ecstatic joy. Thus the sublime deity forms of Jagannatha, Subhadra, and Baladeva represent this sweet pastime.
The festival of Ratha-yatra represents Lord Jagannatha’s longing to reunite with His dear devotees in Vrindavana, foremost among them, Srimati Radharani.

The Internal Meaning of the Ratha-Yatra Festival

The meaning of the Ratha-Yatra parade is steeped in religious sentiment. The form that Lord Krishna takes as Jagannatha is the manifestation of His ecstasy that He feels when He leaves the opulence of His palaces in Dwaraka, represented by the Puri temple, to return to the town of Vrindavan and the simple and pure spontaneous love the residents there have for Him. Thus, there is no difference between Lord Krishna and Lord Jagannatha. So in the mood of separation from His loving devotees, Jagannatha mounts His chariot and returns to Vrindavan, which is symbolically represented by the Gundicha temple. In this way, the esoteric meaning of the Ratha-Yatra parade is that we pull the Lord back into our hearts and rekindle the loving relationship we have with Him. Many great poems and songs, such as Jagannatha-astakam, have been composed describing the event and the highly ecstatic devotional mood one can enter while participating. Many verses are also written in the Caitanya-caritamrita that describe the pastimes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had during these Ratha-Yatra festivals 500 years ago.
To explain the internal meaning of Ratha-Yatra further, Lord Jagannatha is the embodiment of Lord Krishna's love for Srimate Radharani. While Lord Krishna was living in Dwaraka, he felt great separation from Radharani and the residents of Vrindavana. On the day of one solar eclipse, He traveled to Kuruksetra with His brother Balarama and His sister Subhadra on His chariot. There He met Srimate Radharani and other residents of Vrindavana, all of which wanted to take the Lord back to Vrindavana. While traveling and thinking of this meeting, He entered mahabhava, the highest sentiments of loving exchange. In that state, His eyes dilated like fully bloomed lotuses, and His hands and legs retreated into His body. In this way, the form of Lord Jagannatha is called radha-viraha-vidhura, the separation from Radharani, and also mahabhava-prakasha, the manifestation of mahabhava for Radharani. Lord Caitanya was the embodiment of Srimate Radharani's love for Lord Krishna. So Lord Caitanya taking Lord Jagannatha from the main temple to the Gundicha corresponds to Srimate Radharani's wanting to take Lord Krishna from Dwaraka back to Vrindavana, the place of spontaneous and ecstatic love of God.

SNANA YATRA - AUSPICIOUS BATHING CEREMONY

WHAT YOU WILL SEE AND EXPERIENCE

CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

·         Hatha-yoga by twin brothers from Lithuania

·         Baratha Natyam dances by devotees from Russia

·         Martial arts by Dina Dayal Das from Estonia

·         Spell binding dramas by Bhakti Marg Swami

·         Bhajans by Saci Devi Dasi (Shashika Mooruth)

·         Kirtans by Madhava and His Holiness Bhakti Brnga Govinda Maharaja

·         Rap, Hip-Hop and Contemporary music by Golden Age (Soweto)

·         Kathak dances by Pravica’s Katha Kendra

·         Tamil and Telegu bhajans by Vijaylaksmi Balakrishnan

·         Hindi bhajans by Keeran Eshwarlal

·         … and a host of other performers

OTHER FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

·         Deities on a specially designed raised platform temple overlooking the entire festival grounds

·         Chariot parades on Friday, 22^nd April at 2pm and Monday, 25^th April at 4pm

·         Two entertainment stages

·         Little Gokul – a traditional village / spiritual theme park for children

·         Youth Lounge

·         Mantra meditation and the Power of Sound

·         Spiritual interactive media

·         Healthy Cooking, Eating and Living – Cooking demos, talks by experts in nutrition, ayurvedic doctors and lifestyle coaches

·         Indian Emporium (clothing, jewellery, crafts, artefacts, devotional paraphernalia…..)

·         Sumptuous free vegetarian meals

·         Restaurants, Snack bars (from burgers and French fries to pizzas, roti rolls, traditional Indian savouries and authentic Indian full course meals)

·          A divine perspective on ecology and other environmental issues

·         The cow, our sustainer in various ways

·         ISKCON Cinema

·         Aspiring to a caring society

·         Spiritual discussions (Questions and Answers)

VISITING SPIRITUAL LEADERS:

·         Bhakti Caitanya Swami

·         Jayadvaita Swami

·         Indradyumna Swami

·         Bhakti Marg Swami

·         Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami

·         Kadamba Kanana Swami

·         Partha Sarathi dasa Goswami

·         Bhakti Brhat Bhagavat Swamii

HISTORY OF RATHA-YATRA IN KWAZULU-NATAL

Prior to 1980, outside of India, little was known of Ratha-yatra (Festival of Chariots).  Then with the introduction of the Krishna consciousness movement in the West by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came the practices, traditions and festivals that are so intrinsically associated with devotional service and worship of Lord Krishna.  The supremacy and various forms of Krishna were made known for the whole world to behold and the centuries old festival of chariots became a familiar sight throughout major cities all over the world.

Likewise when Srila Prabhupada visited Durban, South Africa in 1975 he expressed two desires for this city viz. that the ancient Festival of Chariots take place on Durban’s Beachfront and that a beautiful temple be built in the heart of Chatsworth.

Thirty years on, both these desires have been realized local.  On Sunday, 9^th December 1980 the fast expanding nama hatta circle of congregation devotees were filled with excitement as the Ratha-yatra festival was to make its debut in Tongaat on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.  Busses ferried devotees from over 30 nama hattas to the starting point at Outspan gounds in Tongaat.   Two chariots draped with thousands of marigold garlands (one carrying Lord Jagannath and the other Their Lordships Baladeva and Subhadra) were tugged along by the jubilant devotees down the main road through the centre of Tongaat leading to the Buffelsdale stadium.  Despite the heavy downpour of rain, drenched and dried, devotees enthusiastically chanted, danced and drew the two chariots.  At the stadium, a crowd of over 10 000 onlookers had gathered to participate in the festivities which included a spiritual discourse, baratha natyam dances and a drama mimed to a pre-recorded script in Los Angeles, USA.  After a tumultuous kirtan, the festival concluded with the distribution of prasadam which had been prepared by the Tongaat nama hatta devotees.

Inspired by the success of the Tongaat Ratha-yatra and given the fact that the temple site for Chatsworth was already secured, devotees then embarked on a Ratha-yatra festival in Chatsworth with three chariots that towered above the tallest buildings in Chatsworth.  The parade which was led by ISKCON’s international leaders departed from the temple site and flowed through the streets of Unit 3 until it reached the Unit 3B Soccer Stadium where the festivities continued.  Banners and flags boasting the participation of the dozens of nama hattas were the order of the day.

For a few years thereafter the Ratha-yatra festival faded into the shadows of ISKCON’s list of priorities, topmost of which, was the construction of the magnificent Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple of Understanding, which was completed in 1985.

In 1988 with an American born Swami (Indradyumna Swami) at the helm of ISKCON’s management in Chatsworth, Ratha-yatra made a resounding comeback.  This time the festival committee carefully chartered out a plan to ensure that the festival drew both local and tourist attention as well as that it would entrench itself as a major city event that would draw the support of local government, business sector and community so that it would be embraced as an annual event. 

The festival drew much media attention and accordingly the public attendance at the two day festival that was staged at the amphitheatre on Durban’s North Beach over the peak Christmas period was overwhelming.  Visitors were in awe at the sight of the 10 metre long, 5metre wide flower bedecked chariot with a 15 metre high multicoloured canopy dome(which was hydraulically propelled), and artistically painted peacocks that graced the four gigantic wheels which were attached to a chassis that

The festival committee’s attention to detail coupled with the commissioning of the best in local and international cultural performers to provide top class entertainment at the festival as well as the free breyani meals that were distributed became the magic success formula for the ensuing years’ festivals.   

Over the years the festival has expanded from a two day festival to a four day festival.  Also, due to the large support that the festival has gained (almost 200 000 people attend) it has been compelled over the years to move from the Amphitheatre site to the lawns of the Bay of Plenty and then to much larger grounds (the former Military Museum site).  Now, alongside the 3000 seater marquee which is the venue for cultural performers, are dozens of other tents housing gift shops, restaurants, make-shift temple, book stalls, multi-media exhibitions, cow-protection arena, meditation demonstrations, and a host of other activities.

Various heads of State, government ministers, consular and city mayors and officials, including Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, State President Thabo Mbeki, Dr Mongosothu Buthulezi and Amichand Rajbansi have graced the festival with their presence and support. 

The initial cost of hosting the festival has likewise grown from the original R20 000,00 to an astronomical R2,5 million.  Each year the committee which comprises of stalwart devotees (Balaram dasa, Champakalata dasi, Umesh Prakash and Upendra Ramlakan) supported by hundreds of devotees from the congregation endeavour to take the festival to greater heights by inviting international spiritual leaders of the Society, commissioning internationally renowned musicians, rolling out more exciting activities and booths… In the past 22 years the festival has played hosts to international artistes such as the Bhaktivedanta Players from London, Gauranga Powered Band from Scotland, musicians from Poland, the Silk Road Bhajan Band from Kazakhstan, Little Go-Kool from Nairobi, Deva Deva performers from Estonia, martial arts and Hatha yoga experts from Eastern Europe, Dr Vinod Hasal from India and locally famous artistes such as Kumari Ambigay, the Nateshwar dancers, Mercy Pakela, Yogan Khandoo, Jay Pather, Suryalanga dancers and Amajika Youth. 

                By the vision and mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the dedication of his disciples and grand-disciples, Ratha-yatra has become a reality in South Africa and has drawn thousands of  people, wellwishers and the curious alike, to have darshan of the beautiful beaming smiles of the Lord of the Universe and start their journey back to the spiritual world, where every word is a song, every step is a dance and there is a festival every day – just like our Ratha-yatra festival!