Times Hi Society News Network / Pranab Saikia
Around forty-five residents of Salcon Verandas Gurgaon visited Jagannath Puri for two successive years and inspired by their memorable visits to Jagannath Puri, residents of Salcon Verandas to take out a grand Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra on 12th July 2024 at their condominium.
“This is the first Ratha Yatra in this condominium and residents are very ecstatic about to welcome Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra in a grand manner and memorable way with active participation from the last one month," says Rambhadra Das, President ISKCON Badshahpur Temple. ISKCON Badshahpur Temple is bringing the huge deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to the venue.
" Deities will wear handmade dresses prepared by devotees. They are so enthusiastic that to purchase jewellery, clothes, garlands they are even commuting to speciality markets from Gurgaon,” say Radheshyam Prabhu (Host), and Madhukar Kapur, president RWA Verandas.
All the residents are very happy over the full cooperation of the RWA. “We are trying our best to make Ratha Yatra one of the most memorable events. All the precautionary measures of safety and security are being taken so that the event happens hassle-free.” Said Geeta Suri, in charge of the cultural committee of the RWA of the Condominium.
“Events like Jagannath Ratha Yatra not only make a spiritual connection but also develop the spirit of fellow feeling and brotherhood,” says Sandeep Chandok, executive member RWA.
“We are also expecting the participation of several senior ISKCON devotees from Sector 45 temple, sector 67 Temple and Sector 31 Centre. Our residents are making pure Chappan Bhoga . There will be around one hundred different bhoga offering to Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra,” says Sanjeev Nikore, a resident and active member of the devotional community at Verandas.
Ratha yatra of Lord Jagannath owes its origin to Puri in Orissa. “In Brahmanda Puran it says that even whoever sees the Ratha of Lord Jagannath all the sins are wiped out and they aglow with spiritual bliss and whatt to talk of those who welcome Him on the way. "Keeping this in mind Ratha will pass through in front of each tower and residents can have Darshan and do Aarti to Lord,” says Priyasakha Prabhu.
“Kids of my age are making posters, banners and placards and putting them in the lobby area of each tower so that information reaches every resident,” says young Aditva Saraswat.
"In 1968 Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON carried out the first Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra in San Francisco, USA. Jagannath’s Ratha keeps on rolling annually every county of the world conveying to people the rich Vedic Culture and residents of Salcon Verandas are also going to be part of this great Yatra,” says Champa PR.
Brisk preparation is being made to distribute dinner Prasadam to all the participants after the completion of the Yatra. Residents of Salcon Verandas are very grateful for being part of a devotional community that lets them celebrate a Vedic way of lifestyle programme based on Bhagawad Gita and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Interesting programs are being conducted for Kids every Saturday, for adults on Wednesday and Youth on Friday from 7 to 9 PM. All these programs have been running for the last four years. Besides that, Salcon Verandas residents also religiously celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, Goverdhan Puja etc. in a spirit of brotherhood and fellow feeling