By Hari Narayana Das
The people of Bandung City flocked to the Asia-Africa area to watch the Bandung Light Festival event which is the closing event of the 207th anniversary series of Bandung City
Approximately 70 cars are decorated in various forms and filled with light, lined up along the Asia-Africa Road closed for private vehicles. Dozens of cars come from Government department, service, and private parties. The devotees also invited as the part of Community in Bandung. Devotees presented Lord Jagannath Ratha yatra.
Two week before the festival the devotees got invitation from the Bandung’s Anniversary festival to participate in the carnival. The present of the Lord and devotees always give special colour for every light festival in Bandung.
“But this unique procession has convinced them that our men are very nice and they can organize a great crowd without any violence. That is a fact if people actually want peace and tranquility, they must support this movement whole heartedly and we shall execute our prescribed duties very seriously and sincerely. In this way if we are given a chance, I am sure we will enact a new chapter in the history of the Western world”. (SPL to Madhudvisa, 14th April, 1970)
Lokatnath Prabhu, the coordinator of Bandung devotees soon made arrangement for the festival. he invited the devotees in Indonesia to participate in the festival. a call came from Lampung’s devotees that they would come on a bus full of devotees to help the devotees. This news gave great support for the devotees in Bandung to do ratha-yatra. Some devotees from Bali also came for the festival.
On the day of the festival, devotees arrived from Lampung, Bali and other areas in Indonesia in Bandung. After check in at Bina Marga Inn, they helped the chariot team who already prepared the chariot since a week before. The chariot was donated by Mrs Made from Bandung who let her house as preaching centre in Bandung. Starting from making garland for the chariot until decorating the chariot done by devotees in short time. The flowers were donated by Guru Charan prabhu brought from Bali.
At 12.00 devotees did puja arati to the Lord jagannath, Baladeva and Subadra Devi. Garuda prabhu who was responsible for Long Journey of the Lord from Jogjakarta to Bandung. A short recorded class from H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaja gave extra energy for the devotees to do Ratha yatra. After arati the devotees carried the the Lord on the chariot and coconut were offered to the lord as the sign that the ratha yatra was begun.
The devotees pulled the chariot to the start point in front of Gedung Sate, the landmark of Bandung. Kirtan was led by Sesa das prabhu that invited the visitor to come closer to see the Lord on the chariot. Many of them took pictures in front of the Lord’s chariot and devotees also took the chance to distribute Srila prabhupada’s book.
“If we introduce this festival in all big cities in the world along side with book distribution then in no time we will conquer the whole world”. SPL to Bhutatma, 7th August, 1973)
“The distribution results from the Ratha-yatra are very nice. There is no question of profit. Distribution is the first consideration.” (SPL to Yasomatinandana dasa, 11th July, 1976)
At 07.00 pm the chariot pulled in the main road of the Bandung city. a loud kirtan filled the atmosphere and the visitors also sing the hare Krishna Mahamantra. Devotees distributed maha prasadam along the way to the finished point. The Asia-Africa Street fulfilled with the visitors on its both side. The devotees more exited in singing and dancing and people also flowed in the euphoria of the happiness of chanting Hare singing Krishna mahamantra.
Better to have nice festivals like Ratha-yatra festivals. If they see us on television show then the next moment they will forget. But if they come to a festival and participate that is eternal benefit.” (SPL to Jagadisa, 28th December, 1974)
The devotees gave flowers garlands that already offered to the Lord to the vice mayor of Bandung and staffs. After passing the main stage, a heavy rain started and there was no place to shade so the devotees kept singing and dancing under the rain as the blessing of the Lord. After reaching the finished lined the devotees honoured prasadam in joyful.
Our ever grateful obeisances are due to HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance to always look for new avenues for sankirtan. Our humble obeisances to HH Subhag Swami for his inspiration and always reminding us of the importance of the Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabu and for inspiring us with the dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and keeping us united in family of ISKCON.
Jay Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subadra devi ki jay…..
To see the full album of fotos: https://goo.gl/SPneEN
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