ISKCON's Jagannath Rath Yatra held in Udupi

Udupi, Karnataka, Mar 30 (UNI) The International Society for Krishna Consciousness' (ISKCON) famous Jagannath Rath Yatra was held in this temple town on Ugadi day today, with the Lord's name, chanted by the Society's followers from across the nation and abroad, reverberating in the air.

Sri Jayapataka Swami, ISKCON international head and Governing Body Commissioner, initiated the rath yatra, inaugurated by Sri Laxmivara Thirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt.

Bhakti Vikas Swami of England, Bhakti Siddantha Swami of Australia and Bhakti Dheera Prakash Swami of Las Vegas in the US were among the prominent ISKCON leaders who attended the rath yatra.

After the yatra, Bhajans, discourses and cultural programmes were also held. A similar rath yatra would be held in Mangalore tomorrow.

Earlier, Sri Jayapataka Swami said ISKCON was celebrating its 40th anniversary and 820th anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who had spread the 'Bhakthi Marg' of Saint-Philosopher Sri Madhwacharya to North India, this year. ISKCON was holding its Jagannath yatra for the first time in Udupi, the sacred seat of Dwaita (dualism) philosophy.

UNI MA GD TS1959