By Hari Narayana Das

People are all originally situated on the platform of Krsna consciousness in their eternal personal relationship of love of Krsna. But due to forgetfulness people become familiar with the material world or maya. To enhance the spirit of devotional service, Srila Prabhupada traveled around the world distributing nectar and spreading the glories of the Lord. He also introduced the ways of performing devotional service to the Lord. Rendering devotional service to Sri Krishna can be done in many ways. One of the activities is by celebrating festivals to remember the Lord’s pastimes. Desiring to serve the Lord in multifarious and special ways devotees in Medan organized the 3rd third ratha yatra festival and also opening of the new Jaganntha Mandir. “All activities, words, everything should be offered as service to the Deities, and this offering with remembering will gradually increase as you practice it.” (SPL to Prajapati dasa, 16th May, 1976)

11 June 2016, a year after Lord Ananta Sesa was placed during the cornerstone laying ceremony to protect the temple, the Jagannath temple was opened by His Holiness Subhag Swami. The night before amidst blustering winds and heavy rain preparations for the opening continued, including preparing the yajna kunda, collecting items for the fire sacrifice also welcoming devotees who arrived from Bali late at night.

As Srila Prabhupada wrote in his letter “Whenever there is a new branch of our society for Krsna consciousness I become very, very happy, and my blessings in heart and soul are with you. I went to your country for spreading this information of Krsna consciousness and you are helping me in my mission although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you. Our procedure is very simple and consistent. We chant, we read from Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam and we distribute prasadam.” (SPL to Nandarani, Krsna devi, Subala and Uddhava, 3rd October, 1967).

The temple opening ceremony brought a festive mood so wonderful that all devotees who arrived from different parts of Indonesia and the local visitors were so enthusiastically doing all sorts of seva spontaneously. A Balinese dance and Bharat Natyam performed by devotee children from Karangasem (Bali) and Singapore respectively was welcomed by all. Then Subhag Swami gave a short lecture which was followed by a fire sacrifice to invoke auspiciousness for all led by Manisi Das and Ramanuja Das. The bhajan team led by Sridar das sang melodious Hare Krishna Maha Mantra that created a spiritual atmosphere. Many important guests from Medan also came to attend the function. After the yajna Maharaj announced the name of the center as “Sri Jagannatha Mandir” and all devotees responded…Haribol…Haribol.

12 June, 2016. After a long wait Lord Jagannath agreed to have ratha yatra festival in the new centre of Medan. Preparations started early. As evening approached the well decorated chariot, enhanced by an ample addition of decorative lightings, appeared to glow with a golden effulgence in the night…and it seemed as if the chariot was just appropriate to carry the Lord of the Universe. Now the Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra graciously accepted Their new place on the altar. Offerings of cultural items gave a wonderful taste to the festival: there were a Bharat natyam performance, Balinese dance and a dance performance by the local girls.

“….starting from noon and going on until after evening. So it was a most magnificent occasion, and I am very much encouraged that the people of the Western world will come to understand the glories of this movement, and as Lord Caitanya predicted, His name will be chanted and praised in every town and village throughout the world” (SPL to Krsna dasa, 28th July, 1969)

After Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subradra Devi sat on the chariot that was glowing brightly, They were offered bhogas and arati. After the arati the guest were given coconut with camphor lamp to offer to the Lord. Then the chariot moved out from the temple courtyard and crossing the village neighborhood moved on the city street accompanied by kirtan and everyone chanting ‘Jay Jaganntha, Jay Baladeva, JaySubhadra”. Maharaja and the guests were given first opportunity to pull the chariot. They were so joyful. The kirtan party sang the Hare Krishna mahamatra melodiously all throughout the procession. The response was amazing. The kids and others, although belonging to different faiths, joined the procession all the way and were chanting and dancing so jubilantly. Nobody could understand where from so many people came to join in to pull the chariot that security personnels had to hold up the traffic to let the chariot and devotees to pass through.

The last point in the procession was a temple of Lord Siva where Subhag Maharaj offered one more arati to the Lord. From there the chariot returned back to the temple with kirtan and dancing which continued well past midnight.

Besides Srila Prabhupada’s books the devotees also distributed 800 packages of prasadam and fruits to the audience.

…. “as far as possible, distribute prasadam” (SPL to Jayapataka, 21st June, 1969)

“Just like the other day we held the festival, Ratha-yātrā. Chant and take prasādam. That’s all. Organize this all over the world. They will be saved. They will understand Kṛṣṇa.” (SP Lecture on BG 1.10 — London, July 12, 1973)

We hope that Prabhupad is pleased and bless the devotees who organize such a wonderful Ratha-yatra. Srila Prabhupada mentioned in his letter that “ I thank you all very much for making the rathayatra festival so successful. Please convey my gratitude to all the boys and girls who participated in this great transcendental service.”(SPL to Upendra, 4th July 1968).

Maniram Das Adhikari and Krishna Jayanti devi dasi, both disciples of Srimat Subhag Swami, along with their team of tireless devotees of Medan wonderfully arranged for the festival. We again and again pray to Lord Jagannath and Srila Prabhupada to kindly bestow upon them Their blessings so that all these special devotees of Medan may continue with their nice service and thus continue to inspire all devotees. Our special words of appreciation are for HH Kavicandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami for their support in all aspects of increasing sankirtan in Indonesia. We thank HH Subhag Swami for kindly taking out some time besides his busy schedule and giving us so much valuable association. All devotees who arrived from Bali and other places of Indonesia deserve special words of gratitude because if were not for them the whole festival would have remained incomplete.

Jai Srila Prabhupada. Jai Jagannath.

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