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Toronto's Epic Rath Yatra Festival

Hundreds of people pull the chariots during the Rath Yatra in Puri, India. This event is also celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in Toronto, Canada by the devotees. I was fortunate to experience it this year, organized by ISKCON. The Rath Yatra in Toronto, started by ISKCON Toronto in 1972, has become a significant annual event.


I was already excited for the event, which was held on August 13th and 14th. I took the subway to Yonge-Dundas Square and arrived early before the crowds gathered. Upon arrival, I saw priests decorating the chariots and idols. As the yatra was about to begin, the floor was swept, ropes were prepared, and mantras were recited. More people started gathering, creating a diverse cultural mosaic of participants from all over the world, dancing, chanting, and pulling the chariots to receive blessings.

In the Jagannath Rath Yatra, three grand chariots are built for the deities. The first chariot, Nandighosa, belongs to Lord Jagannath and is known for its massive size and elaborate decorations. The second chariot, Taladhwaja, is for Lord Balabhadra and is characterized by green and red colors. The third chariot, Darpadalana, carries Goddess Subhadra and is noted for its black and red hues.

There were three chariots: the first for Lord Jagannath, the second for Subhadra, and the third for Balram. Despite the large crowd, I managed to pull all three chariots and seek their blessings. Navigating through the crowd was challenging, but the chariots were eventually taken to the Toronto Islands. Many participants were dressed in traditional attire, resembling gopis, and performed simple dances as they moved the chariots forward. During the Rath Yatra, the chariot's canopy is sometimes lowered, a practice known as "Chhenra Pahanra" or "Chhera Pahanra," which I also witnessed.


The next day, my friend and I visited the Toronto Islands for a continuation of the Rath Yatra festival. We took the ferry to Central Island, having purchased tickets online to avoid the crowd. Upon landing, we could hear the chants of Hare Krishna from a distance. We took blessings from the deities and explored the various tents. ISKCON also provided a free vegetarian feast. The event was well-organized by the team and student volunteers.

As we finished our meal, it started raining heavily, and we took shelter in the sitting area. While waiting for the rain to stop, we enjoyed our meal and watched ducks, admiring their serene life. Once the rain stopped, we visited other tents featuring Indian snacks, gopi dots (colorful patterns made by gopis in ancient times), and mehndi designs. There was a program where the host asked questions about Lord Jagannath's life, and the audience answered.

Another highlight was the Hare Krishna kirtan, where devotees danced, sang, and meditated with musical instruments, even in the rain. There were also stalls with religious books, souvenirs, and jewelry. Later, we visited the pier to enjoy the beautiful scenery before heading back to the ferry dock and returning home.


The entire experience was devotional and blissful, and I am already looking forward to the Rath Yatra next year.

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