Vadodara ready for ISKCON Rathyatra

VADODARA, July 13: The Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) annually will be inaugurated by Mayor Bharati Vyas at the Vadodara Railway Station at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

As per ancient tradition and following in the footsteps of the Maharaja of Puri, the mayor will sweep the road in front of the Rath with a golden broom. A large number of devotees including prominent citizens will remain present on the occasion. The procession will follow the traditional route from the railway station to Sayajibaug, Kothi crossroads, Raopura Main Road, Tower crossroads, Jubilee Baug, Nyaya Mandir, Sursagar, Music College, Fire Brigade, Dandia Bazar police outpost, Khanderao Market, Raj Mahal Road, Radhakrishna Pole, Lal Court, Madan Zampa, R.V. Desai Road crossing, Sardar Market and Kevda Baug. It will end at Polo Ground at 7 p.m.

The Rath will be welcomed by people lining the route by catching its ropes, offering aarti’ and presenting fruits and flowers. A special reception has been organised at Madan Zampa by the local residents. The Rath has a collapsing canopy that rises to a height of 35 feet when fully open but can be lowered to avoid hitting overhanging wire and other structures.

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The procession, according to an ISKCON release, is held in commemoration of Lord Kirshna’s visit to Kurukshetra from Dwarka Puri, alongwith his brother Balaram and sister Subhadradevi.

A police spokesman said that adequate security arrangement has been made to enable peaceful conclusion of the festival.