The Jagannatha Rath Yatra, a cornerstone of Hindu festivals, unfolded with unparalleled fervour across the United Kingdom this year, uniting devotees in celebration and spiritual devotion. From London to historic cities like Bath, Aylesbury, Manchester, and Cambridge, the festival showcased a vibrant tapestry of culture, community spirit, and religious reverence.
London’s Vibrant Tribute to Lord Jagannatha
In Southall, London, the Shree Jagannatha Society UK (SJSUK) orchestrated a spectacular celebration on Sunday, 7th July 2024, coinciding with the auspicious Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya Tithi. The event, held at The Featherstone High School, drew over 600 devotees, who gathered to honour Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra’s symbolic journey to Gundicha Mandir.
The festivities began with the meticulous construction and decoration of the grand chariot (Ratha), a testament to the dedication of volunteers. The deities, resplendent in new attire and adorned with jewelery, were ceremonially carried to the chariot in a grand Pahandi Yatra procession from Shri Ram Mandir, Southall. Esteemed guests, including Shri Manoj Panda and Shri Ajay Thakur from the Indian High Commission in London, and Padma Shri Dr. Krishna Mohan Pathi from India, performed the sacred ChheraPahanra (sweeping of the chariot). Former MP Shri Veerendra Sharma and Shri Jai Sharma, President of Shree Ram Mandir Southall, also honored the occasion with their presence.
As the chariot moved through the streets, devotees of all ages pulled it with enthusiasm, accompanied by the harmonious sounds of bhajans and kirtans. The celebration provided a unique opportunity for participants to offer puja and archana to the deities, receiving traditional Sukhila Bhog (dry prasad) like khaja, pheni, gaja, and arisha pitha. The day concluded with the offering of Chhappan Bhog Prasad, a lavish spread of 56 delicacies, marking a joyful culmination to the spiritual journey.
SJSUK’s initiatives extend beyond religious celebrations, encompassing humanitarian efforts such as the Maha Prasad Seva in collaboration with the Mohanji Foundation. This initiative provided free meals and bottled water to pilgrims in Puri during the Rath Yatra Festival, exemplifying SJSUK’s dedication to community welfare and service.
Bath’s Annual Rath Yatra: A Tradition of Devotion and Community
Simultaneously, the city of Bath prepared to welcome devotees for its 19th Annual Shree Jagannatha Rath Yatra. Organized by the Shree Jagannatha Temple UK in collaboration with the Bath Hindu Community, the event attracted hundreds of devotees from across the UK and abroad, many of whom arrived the previous night, highlighting the festival’s widespread appeal.
The Rath Yatra in Bath was marked by an extraordinary display of devotion and preparation. Volunteers, affectionately known as Maha Prabhu’s Sevaks, worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the celebration. Their efforts culminated in a vibrant procession and a grand puja at the temple. The festival in Bath not only included the traditional chariot procession but also featured various rituals and cultural performances, engaging devotees of all ages. The collaboration between the Shree Jagannatha Temple UK and the Bath Hindu Community created an atmosphere of unity and joy, reflecting the deep cultural heritage of the Jagannatha tradition.
One of the devotee said “Yesterday’s Ratha Jatra felt truly divine! Seeing Kalinga Parivar and others come together, making it a grand success, fills me with pride as an Odia in this country. Hats off to Ashish Rajhansha and Sushmita Rajhansha for their tireless efforts in its growth!”
Aylesbury Rath Yatra: A Celebration of Devotion and Community Spirit
the Rath Yatra unfolded with profound devotion and meticulous organisation, drawing 150 to 200 devotees who gathered to participate in this cherished annual tradition. Initiated in 2018 under the guidance of Satya Patra, the event commenced with early morning rituals at 4 am, honouring the deities residing at his home. By 6:30 am, the community joined in for Netrostava, Nabajouban besha, and morning akari, before proceeding to the school grounds reserved for the Rath Yatra. The day continued with puja rituals starting around 11 am, featuring sankalpa, swastivachan, alti, puspanjali, and bhog offerings. A collective chanting of Jagannath sahasra nama, led by Jayashree and team, added to the spiritual ambiance. Following the Ratha pratistha havan, the ceremonial Pahandi welcomed the deities onto the chariot, which then circled the school field amidst chants of Haribol and kirtan. Stops along the route allowed for bhog offerings, culminating in individual Archana by devotees. Prasad was distributed to all attendees, marking the conclusion before the deities were reverently brought to Satya Patra’s home in Amersham, where they will reside until Bahuda Yatra in nine days’ time.
The success of the Aylesbury Rath Yatra was significantly enhanced by the dedicated efforts of Mr. Rasmi Kanta Nanda and his wife Dr. Jayashree Nanda, along with Shibasis Satpathy, Ashok Panigrahi, and Rajeev Dixit. Their unwavering commitment attracted more participants and amplified the spiritual fervour of the occasion, fostering a memorable and deeply meaningful experience for all who attended.
Manchester Ratha Yatra – Divine Celebration at Gita Bhavan: Ratha Yatra 2024
Gita Bhavan temple in Manchester shimmered with spiritual fervour as it hosted the annual Ratha Yatra festival, drawing nearly 500 devotees from across the globe. This year’s event, celebrated on a sunny Manchester day, resonated with vibrant chants, cultural performances, and the esteemed presence of local MP Afzal Khan.
The atmosphere at the festival was nothing short of spectacular, with devotees clad in traditional attire joyously singing and dancing to rhythmic chants of “Hare Krishna” and “Jay Jagannath.” The highlight of the celebration was the elegantly decorated chariot procession through the streets, symbolising the deities’ closeness to the community.
Renowned artists from various corners of the world graced the event, showcasing traditional dances, music, and drama that captivated the audience and added to the festival’s cultural richness. MP Afzal Khan’s participation underscored the festival’s message of unity and diversity, emphasising the importance of cultural and religious celebrations in nurturing community harmony. Adding a deeper spiritual dimension to the event was the presence of Devi Chitralekha Ji, currently on a UK tour, who shared her divine preachings and enriched the hearts and minds of all attendees.
The meticulous planning and execution of the event were attributed to the dedicated efforts of the organising committee, led by Dr. Siba Senapati, Mrs. Rekha Senapati, Mr. Bishnu Das, Mr. Jeeban Panigrahi, Mr. Sudhakar Sahoo, Mr. Bibek Babu, Miss Reshma Mohapatra, Mr. Surendra Nath Acharya, Mr. Prabhat Singh, and Mr. Siba Ranjan Biswal. Their diligent work ensured that the chariots were prepared, logistics were coordinated flawlessly, and the festival ran smoothly from start to finish.
The support of the local police force was also crucial in ensuring the safety and seamless execution of the event, allowing devotees to celebrate in an atmosphere of peace and joy. The temple trustees and committee members were acknowledged for their unwavering support and for providing the facilities that facilitated this grand celebration. Special recognition was also extended to the temple priest, Shyam Sundar Ji, whose spiritual guidance played a pivotal role in the event’s success.
The festival concluded with the serving of Mahaprabhu Prasad, a sacred meal that not only nourished bodies but also fostered a sense of community among attendees, who shared stories and laughter. In the words of the organisers, the Ratha Yatra at Gita Bhavan Manchester transcended religious boundaries to become a testament to devotion, community spirit, and cultural celebration. As the chariot returned to the temple, the smiles on devotees’ faces echoed the sentiment that this event was truly memorable and a resounding success in every aspect.
In summary, the Jagannatha Rath Yatra in the UK not only celebrated religious traditions but also fostered unity, cultural exchange, and community spirit among devotees and participants from diverse backgrounds.
