The Bahrain Odia Samaj in collaboration with ISKCON Temple organised the Chariot Festival (Rath Yatra) as well as a ‘Bhajan Sandhya’ (Devotional Musical Evening) to mark the nine-day annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings as per centuries-old traditions.
The celebrations started on the 12th of July, 2021 and ended after 9 days of virtual programs on the 20th of July, 2021 when the Lord & his siblings returned to their abode after their annual appearance as per the sacred rituals.
Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Piyush Shrivastava visited the ISKCON Jagannatha temple on July 12th, 2021 to take part in the festivities. HE offered prayers and pulled the chariot with Dr. Arun Kumar Praharaj, Founder & Chairman of Bahrain Odia Samaj, Mr. Vardarajan Gopal Prabhu Ji, President of ISKCON Bahrain, and few devotees of the lord.
He also spent time with the Executive Members of Odia Samaj and ISKCON, praising the non-resident Odia community for its efforts to preserve Odia culture in a foreign land and appreciating the Samaj and ISKCON Bahrain for the high levels of safety and COVID protocols followed during the ceremony with batches of only 10 people allowed within each slot.
Dr. Praharaj who has been organizing the celebrations in the Kingdom for the past 22 years said: “The most superlative aspect of this festival is the intent to promote religious unity and universal brotherhood. Shree Jagannatha gives an audience to the entire universe irrespective of caste, creed, religion, social status, gender, and nationality in the annual Rath Yatra Festival where He truly manifests himself as Jagannatha. It is a festival that signifies the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or ‘The world is one family. Of course, the credit for our celebrations goes to the tolerant and accepting Government of Bahrain.” He further said “We are extremely grateful to His Royal Majesty The King and Government of Bahrain for the cultural and religious freedom given to us and to the Indian Embassy to include this sacred chariot festival of brotherhood & harmony in #IndiaAt75 during the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The first day of the Chariot Festival was followed by a virtual Bhajan Sandhya in the evening. The online event was graced with messages and blessings from the Holy King of Puri HRH Gajapati Maharaja Shri Dibyasingha Deb & Union Education Minister to the Government of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
The event was studded with devotional music, classical Odissi and folk performances such as ‘Ranapa’ (Bamboo Dance) to showcase Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Renowned singers – Susmita Das, RJ Swati, Lalit Krushna Mohapatra, Sufi Bajan Singer Prakash Chandra Rout and Odissi dancers – the mother & daughter duo, Sonalika and Shrinika Padhee and internationally-acclaimed Saswat Joshi were joined by budding talents such as physically challenged flautist Master Asit and Tablist Master Amit from Adruta Children’s Home among many other performers.
The program was graced by the Honourable Speaker of Odisha’s Legislative Assembly, Dr. Surjya Narayan Patro who made an insightful speech on Jagannatha culture and praised the Bahrain Odias for their efforts in taking Odisha to the world.
Honourable Food & Supplies Minister and a great source of support for the Bahrain Odia Samaj, Mr. Ranendra Pratap Swain also joined the event along with the Representative of the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain and Secretary to the Embassy of India, Mr. Ihjas Aslam, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, Mr. Madan Mohan Sethi, International Sand Artist, Padmashree Sudarsan Pattnaik and Jagannatha devotees from over 20 countries including USA, UK, Ireland, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Vietnam & Kuwait.
The Chariot Festival and the Bhajan Sandhya were held under the wings of the Embassy of India’s #IndiaAt75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
