KOLKATA, July 10, 2013: A lot of excitement has been generated over the annual RathaYatra festival of Iskcon. The grand spectacle of three chariots for the trinity, Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra, will roll on their traditional route spanning 10 kilometres, starting from Park CircusMaidan and ending at its designated fair-ground opposite Park Street metro station. Hundreds of people started gathering along tywo sides of the entire stretch even before the rathas started rolling out of Park Circus, to witness the spectacle and also participate in the holy ritual of tugging the rope. Throughout the journey, people will join others in pulling the rope till the three chariots reach their destination. This will be accompanied with bhajans and keertans and dancing all the way. The Ratha Yatra was inaugurated by chief minister Mamata Banerjee at Park Circus.

Camps were organised all along the route where spectators were served with fresh and clean drinking water. Prasad was also distributed in these camps. Dry prasad was carried on the chariots and distributed to devotees throughout the journey. The chariots will stay for seven days at the fair ground where a fair has been organised for devotees. Any one can visit the fair where he/she can partake of the prasad that will be distributed everyday and also get to know about Mayapur, the seat of Iskcon. At the fair-ground a replica of the largest Vedic temple, that is coming up at Mayapur, has been created. This temple is 330 feet high and can seat 10,000 devotees.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 10, 2013.