The Jagannath Rath Yatra, a grand festival celebrated majorly in the state of Orissa in India is one of the largest chariot festivals celebrated in Hinduism. Apart from Orissa, the celebration of this festival has grown significantly in different parts of the world. On Sunday, 14th July hundreds of Hindu residents of Maidenhead also joined the celebrations organised by The Sanatan Parivar, a maidenhead community group, supported by Shree Jagannath Society UK. Preetiof Hindu Society of Maidenhead said “ "I am very happy to be able to offer Holy Basil 'Tulsi' to Jagannath Ji, which is very dear to Him. This act of devotion not only strengthens our spiritual connection but also embodies the deep reverence and cultural heritage.”
The celebration started at the Maidenhead Community Centre with ‘Pooja’ praying to Lord Jagannath by an all-female prayer committee.
TSP trustee said “ Sanatan Dharm (Hinduism) believes that the whole world is one family and celebrations like these provide opportunity to bring communities together and build cohesion. We are particularly proud of our young people who are volunteering and supporting other community groups and initiatives servicing the wider Maidenhead community following our key principle of ‘Seva’ service to others”.
According to the Vedic scriptures, the festival marks the occasion when Lord Jagannath, who’s believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu, visits his aunt’s home for a week on a chariot along with his brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. Since then, the festival is observed in the month of June or July as per the Hindu calendar.
The Deputy Mayor (Mandy Brar) and Deputy Mayor’s Consort (Harry Singh Brar) inaugurated the Rath Yatra by performing a ceremonial ritual of sweeping which is traditionally done by the King. She said “We were really made welcome by organisers and thoroughly enjoyed the event”.
The deities were brought to the chariot in a ceremony called ‘Pahandi’ by key community leader, one of them was Mahendra Mistry of Aumkaar Parivar Shakha Maidenhead HSS. He said “ I want to thank the Sanatan Parivar for giving me the honour and opportunity to bring Shri Balabhadraji to the Rath”.
The colourful chariot of Lord Jagannath was pulled around Kidwells Park by men, women and children devotees wearing beautiful traditional dresses dancing and singing the praise of Lord Krishna along with drums, musical instruments and conches blown creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere.
The event was well managed by dedicated team of volunteers who selflessly worked to make sure the festival was joyous and safe. At the end of the Rath Yatra, ‘Chappan Bhog’ fifty-six type of delicious dished blessed by Lord Jagannath was enjoyed as Prasad (pious food) by all devotees. A volunteer Aanchal said "Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra was another happy realization of knowing we belong to something, someone, somewhere. A large community gathering of people from different part of India felt like home where we are all loved, I found my Ikigai "
TSP trustee said “Looking after the Earth is an integral part of Hindu practices, so we make sure all our events consider sustainable development goals. For this event our sustainability team made sure that the food waste is minimised, and other waste recycled. A group of children supported by the team made recycled wrist bands for the devotees by reusing old cardboard boxes. All the decoration was done using reusable and natural products. We are creating eco-warriors though our faith community".
Local councillors (Gurch Singh and Jack Douglas) also attended the event. Jack said “ It is an honour to attend and we are delighted to experience a very warm welcome, and a fascinating glimpse into the culture and life of the Hindu community in Maidenhead. We are very hopeful that the Chariot Festival will be an annual event in Maidenhead Community Centre and Kidwells Park and an opportunity for all communities to join the celebration”.
Madhulika said “ It was very homely, lively and was truly joyful occasion where everyone in the community has come together for a common cause and the event took place so gracefully that the hall was filled with happiness at the end and we also took care of the earth by our sustainable efforts of bringing our own cutlery and food which instils pride truly reflects a Sanatani”
Supriya said " Until this year as an Odia we were travelling to different cities in the UK to celebrate Rathyatra. However this year being a part of TSP Maidenhead..it's a dream come true"
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