ISKCON Rath Yatra in Udupi on March 30

Udupi, Karnataka, Mar 25: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will organise the 'Sri Jagannatha Rath Yatra' for the first time in this temple town on March 30, the Hindu New Year day.

Talking to newspersons here today, ISKCON New York Chapter Head Ramabhadra Prabhu and Mumbai unit Head Brijahari Prabhu said about two lakh devotees, including 200 from 70 countries and another 200 from Kolkata under the leadership of ISKCON International Head Jayapataka Swami, would take part in the yatra.

Mr Ramabhadra Prabhu said the rath yatra, to be inaugurated by Sri Vidyasagar Thirtha Swamiji of the Paryaya Krishnapura mutt and Jayapataka Swami, would cover a distance of about three km around the city. It would be followed by cultural and spiritual programmes.

He said Mr Ambarish Dasa, the grandson of the legendary Henry Ford, had come forward to donate 40 million US Dollars for constructing the largest Hare Krishna temple at Mayapuri in West Bengal. The construction would be completed within two years of its commencement. The outfit also proposed to construct Hare Krishna temples in others parts of the country, including Udupi, he added.

UNI