Submitted by M. Prema Dhatri dd / Temple President ISKCON Phoenix 
Photos by Cakrapani Prabhu / Festival of India crew & Prabhupada Village Pujari

After a long 2-year halt due to COVID, on Sunday, March 6, 2022, ISKCON Phoenix celebrated Lord Jagannatha’s Ratha-Yatra festival at the Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, AZ.

Devotees assembled early morning at the site of the festival to receive Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Devi Subhadra, and to add the final touch to the hard work of setting up the festival site the previous day. The cool & breezy morning turned to a warm one once Their Lordships arrived and were seated on the chariot while pujaris were serving Them.  On the ground devotees were enthusiastically decorating the chariot while singing the Maha-Mantra, creating such a festive environment for all.
              
Shortly after 11:00 am, arti was offered, Sri Jagannathastakam was sung and a jubilant kirtan began, giving devotees the signal to lift up the ropes and begin to pull the chariot.   A group of beautiful Vaishnavis lead the way in a synchronized dance, while others joined in singing and chanting and sharing their good fortune with others.  Along the way, people stopped to see the procession, some attempted to chant, others were dancing from side to side, devotees along the way distributed prasad, small books & On Chanting Hare Krsna pamphlets and invited people to join the parade and to attend the program at the festival grounds.  The city of Phoenix closed some streets adjacent to the park and very nicely helped us in keeping everything safe. The procession lasted about 2 hours; Lord Jagannatha certainly casted a merciful glance on everyone present that day! 

Once the chariot returned to the festival grounds, the kirtan was ever louder and everyone was just in such a festive tone.  Over 2,000 plates of prasadam were distributed, families enjoyed all the cultural programs like traditional Indian dances, singing, drama, etc.   Children had fun at their “Children’s place”, where they were able to do crafts and play games while next door the henna-tattoo artists were very busy.

People visited our Mantra Yoga booth and joined us in chanting the Holy Names dedicated to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.  This year’s Ratha-Yatra was dedicated to them. There is nothing more powerful than the Holy Name: HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA/KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE/HARE RAMA HARE RAMA/RAMA RAMA HARE HARE. We continue to pray for them, may the Lord’s protection be with them.

Overall, another wonderful day in the service of the Lord, for His pleasure, for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and for the benefit of all. Everyday is a festival in Krishna Consciousness, always an opportunity to ALWAYS REMEMBER KRISHNA, NEVER FORGET KRISHNA…Thank you Srila Prabhupada! Hare Krishna!