By Hemo Krsna dd
On Sunday, 8th June, Nottingham's Market Square hosted its second annual Ratha Yatra festival. Around 1,000 people came together to celebrate this joyful occasion, as Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Lady Subhadra once again graced the city with Their presence. The chariot, brought from London by HG Parasuram Prabhu, was beautifully decorated by devotees from Nottingham Namahatta and Leicester.
The event opened with welcoming remarks and a graceful Kathak dance performance in honour of the deities. Soon after, the chariot procession began, there was uplifting kirtan. People of all ages joined in, enthusiastically pulling the ropes and offering their heartfelt service. It was a joyful moment for many as the Lord offered His darshan to everyone present.
Following the procession, a cultural program featured traditional dances such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, more kirtan, a drama and inspiring talks from the youth. There was a distribution of over 1,000 plates of prasadam to all attendees.
Devotees expressed their gratitude to Srila Prabhupada, who introduced Ratha Yatra to the Western world. Thanks to his efforts, this timeless tradition is now taking root in Nottingham, offering the public a chance to connect with Lord Jagannatha's mercy.
Though the original intention was to keep things modest, it's clear that Lord Jagannatha had something more in mind. With growing interest and participation, the devotees are already looking forward to next year's festival - hoping it continues to bring joy, unity, and spiritual upliftment to the city for years to come.