KUCHING: Hundreds of individuals congregated along the Kuching Waterfront here for the Ratha Yathra, also known as the Chariot Festival.
This marks the 14th year of the festival and organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kuching Branch.
Participants from diverse backgrounds and faiths, including Hindus and Buddhists, came together for the chariot procession dedicated to honouring Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev, and Lordess Subhadra.
As early as 4 pm on today (Oct 7), devotees and the public gathered to participate and witness the chariot procession.
Before the procession commenced at 4.50 pm, it began with the chanting of spiritual hymns, a welcoming dance, and followed by the Coconut Breaking ritual to protect the procession from any obstacles.
The chariot was led by ISKCON Kuching chairman Prabhu Kripa Sindhu Krishna Das, and joined by Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, devotees and the public.
Those who participated in the chariot procession went barefoot and hand pulled the chariots for a 2.5km route, starting from the Kuching Waterfront, passing through Jalan McDougall, Padang Merdeka, Kuching Central Police Station, Jalan Gambier and back to the Kuching Waterfront at around 7 pm.
Earlier, Kripa Sindhu also expressed joy to see people of all races witnessing and joining the procession.
Meanwhile, Lo said he has participated in the festival many times and is happy to see many people joining to receive the blessings from Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev, and Lordess Subhadra.
Karuna Kishari Dora, 19, said that she had seen and joined the chariot procession since she was young.
“It is very meaningful to be able to participate in this chariot procession and we are able to bring our gods out,” she said.
She added she had benefited personally and spiritually from participating in the chariot procession.
As for 77-year-old Karuna Mayi, she mentioned she has also participated in the chariot procession for many years.
“In India, this is a very auspicious festival and I’m very happy to see that the festival is quite well known in Kuching today as compared to last time,” she said.
She also said such festivals could raise awareness of the meaning of the festival as well as foster closer ties among the multi-racial people.
In the evening, the festival continued with the opening ceremony with Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian officiating at the event.
The festival featured a spiritual discourse delivered by His Holiness Bhanu Swami Maharaj, who is member of the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON and spiritual master.
Following that, guests were entertained with the Indian classical dance and the ‘Kirtan’ musical performance.
Additionally, attendees at the event were also given the opportunity to enjoy vegetarian food prepared for the occasion.
Rath Yatra, originated in the holy city of Puri, India, is among the grandest celebrations in India and also takes place in various parts of the world.
