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Archive for August 10th, 2009

sitproperly on Aug 10th 2009 Gaudia Vaisnava,It's a Festival!

Seattle’s Ratha-yatra!

Jagannatha!Even though the Festival of India was in Vancouver this weekend for their Ratha-yatra, that didn’t stop Seattle from having not just one, but two Ratha-yatras of their own!

I wasn’t able to get to the one on Saturday, but Smartz (with Ryan, Jamie and kids) and I made it to Sunday’s.

This was probably the smallest Ratha-yatra that I’ve ever been to, but it was a really lovely one.

Street performer plays along.We arrived just after some mantra rock band finished up. As many know, I’m really really not a fan of mantra rock. I’ve never ever once heard any that wasn’t embarrassingly bad. We did, however, get treated to a more traditional bhajana band that added to the mood. This is nice.

We also got to meet Jaga, a devotee from Seattle. We had been talking a bit on Facebook and it was really nice to meet up.

Most Ratha-yatras feature the deities being pulled in large carts, but since these deities are so small, They get a simple palanquin.

As the procession was about to leave, a devotee announced that a magician would be performing while the rest of us were out chanting and dancing. This was weird and sort of pointless. I’m sure it was a Krishna conscious themed magician, but come on – time/place/circumstance, ok?

Haribol!Anyway, we walked, chanted and danced our way from Pier 59 to Pier 53 along the Seattle waterfront. I was really surprised how many people joined in. Folks just passing by chanted and danced with us. Some made fun, that’s for sure, but most didn’t. Most seemed really happy to see us. Even an 80+ year old white lady got a big smile, stopped and started clapping along.

The whole day was really fun. I try to get to at least one Ratha-yatra per year and it looks like this is it for me. But really, if I had to do just one this year, I’m glad it was in Seattle.

Here are a bunch more pics!

And for those who are wondering when the Gita comparison posts will make their way back to my blog, the answer is: soon. I broke (smashed) my right little finger and couldn’t really type all that well. Also, I needed a bit of a break. But I’m healing and ready to get back to work. Haribol!

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