Boise Hare Krishna Temple and Vedic Cultural Center

July 4, 2008: Jagannath Ratha Yatra

Celebrate the Boise Ratha Yatra Festival on Wednesday July 4th in Downtown, Boise at 6:00 PM and Pull the Chariot in the 4th of July Parade.

Rath Yatra is unique and is considered by many as the grandest of all festivals. A glimpse of Lord Jagannatha on the chariot is considered to be very auspicious. Saints and the scriptures have repeatedly glorified the sanctity of this special festival. The sanctity of the festival is such that a touch of the chariot or even the ropes with which the chariot is pulled is considered enough to confer the results of several pious deeds or penance for ages. The Skanda Purana glorifies the sanctity of the Rath Yatra in the following words:

Gundicha mandapam namam yatra hamajanampura

Ashwamedha sahasrasya mahabedi tadadvabat

"Those who are fortunate to see the Deities of the Srimandira in the Gundicha Temple, the final destination of the procession of the chariots, derive the benefits of a thousand horse sacrifices, an immensely pious deed."

Schedule for Friday, July 4th Ratha Yatra / Parade

The schedule of events for July 4th at the temple is as follows:

5:00 PM Greet Lord Jagannatha at the temple and take Him to the cars.
5:45 PM Gather at the Ratha Site at 11th and Bannock ( look for the Rath in the area)
6:30 PM Ratha Yatra starts. Pull the Ratha along the one mile route
7:45 PM Meet back at the temple for
Roaring Kirtana

Talk by Gopal Krishna Maharaja

Grand Feast
You can copy the map for the route from http://libertydayparade.com/docs/Parade_Route_2008.jpg

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the decoration of Rath. If you cannot please do make it to the Parade and Pull the Ratha (We will actually be pulling the Ratha with ropes). Also it is recommended that we all wear traditional clothes so we can show Boiseans our rich culture and diversity. In front of the Ratha there will be constant singing and dancing. The parade route is a walk of about one easy mile.

Fruits and flowers for the Lord are welcome. Please bring the fruits in thin aluminum container so that we can offer them to Their Lordships.

There are several sponsorships available for the Ratha Yatra festival. We also need active volunteers for the Ratha Yatra preparations. If you are interested please call us at 344-4274 for details regarding sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.

For Pictures of Ratha Yatra Click here