Main Menu

Login Form

Rath Yatra in Japan

Last Updated on Sunday, 22 June 2008 05:44 Written by Swaraj Mishra Friday, 20 June 2008 00:36

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Rath Yatra in Japan, a fabulous initiative

Rath Yatra is not merely a festival when Lord Jagannath would a take a 9 day sojourn with his brother and sister. It is much more than that.

Rath Yatra  has always been associated with the Odia identity and Odia pride. Anywhere in the world, if one sees a chariot with red and yellow striped drapes, he remembers Lord Jagannath and Odisha. The big round black eyes stare at you with compassion. That reassures everybody. Lord Jagannath is taking care of all of us. So why worry ?

In Japan, the not too big Odia community has dreamt of bringing Lord Jagannath to Japan and make the Patitapaban Bana flutter to the cool breeze of Tokyo. That is truly fantastic ! What a great beginning !!

Hats off to the people who have spearheaded this noble initiative. The challenges are too many. Let's all contribute in whatever way we can. That will be the fittest tribute to this wonderful initiative.