The two-day ‘14th annual Lord Jagannatha Ratha Yatra Mahotsava – 2012' organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) began on a festive note here on Saturday.
The celebrations started with ceremonial prayers to Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi seated on a grand rath, followed by a grand procession of devotees and ‘kirtan' groups who danced to the beat of drums.
A long chain of decorated bullock carts, dioramas depicting the various pastimes of Lord Krishna, and children enacting scenes from stories about Balakrishna were part of the procession from Bogarves to the ISKCON temple at Tilakwadi. Colourful rangolis decorated the route of the procession.
Senior members of ISKCON, including president of the Belgaum centre Bhakti Rasamrita Swami attended the celebrations.
In the evening, discourses, singing of bhajans and pujas were held. Stalls selling spiritual books and products from cow dung and urine were set up.
Programmes will continue on Sunday.
