On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, the glorious event of “Jagannath Rath Yatra Festival�€ took place on Saturday, 23rd of April 2016 as a Humble Offering to Srila Prabhupada by ISKCON Coimbatore.
This Jagannath Rath Yatra Festival was blessed by HH. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj and took place under the leadership HH.BhaktiVinod Swami Maharaj, Zonal Secretary, Western Tamil Nadu & Kerala & Temple president of Coimbatore ISKCON.
The Ratha Yatra took place in a famous Hill Station near Coimbatore. The place is known for its beautiful scenic setting. Thousands of tourists from all around the world flock to this place each year.
Did you which is this place ?
Its none other than "Ooty!!!!!", the famous Hill Station.
The name Ooty originated from its original name Udagamandalam. Because of its mountain ranges flooded with natural rain forests, waterfalls, Ooty is also called as "Nilagiri". Neela means BLUE and Giri means Mountain. Thus the train that runs through the mountain is called "Blue Mountain Railway".
Ooty has a short history that the people who originally settled there were those who fled from the rule of Tippusultan in and around Mysore. These people are know and "Badugaas". They speak a language known as "Baduga" which is very close to Kannada the native language of Karnatak a.
In 18th and 19th Century with the advent of British rule in India, some Britishers moved up to this Hill Station. They loved this place as the climate was similar to that of Britain. They laid good roads and developed the place with lot of schools & tourist spots.Subsequently people from various other communities from all over India moved up and settled there.
Ooty is also know for its special fruits, and berries...
HH. Bhakti Vikāśa Swami relates that Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura tarried at the Nilgiri Hill station Ootacamund for two months in the summer of 1932 to concentrate on revising
His book Sree Krishna Chaitanya (SBV 1:243).
There are some conversations of Srila Prabhupada also where this place Nilgiri, Ootacamund is mentioned. It may be related that the western devotees living in cold places will find it suitable to live here and spread Krishna consciousness.
For the residents of Ooty, Coimbatore is the nearest city from where all major trade and other activities take place.
Devotees from ISKCON coimbatore centre lead by HH.Bhakti Vinod Maharaj have been working tirelessly for many years on extending Krishna Consciousness to the residents of Ooty through various preaching initiatives.
On Saturday, 23rd of April 2016 Jaganath Rath Yatra started from the “Mariamman Temple” Main Bazar Street. Sri Arjunan, Member of Parliament , Sri. Chowdary, Head of Cordite Factory, Aravangadu presided over the opening ceremony of the Rath Yatra. Some key notes from the speech of the prominent speakers are shared here-in.
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"We are immensely blessed and feel very fortunate to have Sri Jagannath at Ooty. Thanks to ISKCON" said Honorable Guest Sri.Chowdry (Head of Cordite Factory Aravangadu)
"I am privileged to be part of this historic event at Ooty.My prayers to Lord Jagannatha" commented Chief Guest ,Sri.Arjunan,Member of Parliament,.
HH BhaktiVinod Swami Maharaj highlighted “Ooty is known for Tourists visiting it. But this time Lord Jaganath has come to see Ooty”
Thousands of locals and public participated enthusiastically pulling the Rath and sing ing the holy name. The Rath passed through the busy and main streets of OOty including the bazaar and markets. Visitors,tourists and curious onlookers participated in pulling rath and received books of Srila Prabhupada and Jaganath Prasad.
Hundreds of outstation devotees from Kumbakonam, Thuraiyur(Near Trichy), Hosur, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Mangalore and Mumbai were present for the celebration.
The festival was broadcast in local TV channels. Newspapers published articles with pictures of their Lordships in Rath.
This is indeed a wonderful offering to Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON.
We request devotees to flock into Ooty and extend their association to the Local residents there.
Contact ISKCON Coimbatore for the Ooty local devotee connections.
Hare Krishna!
To view images of rath yatra click here
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