Slough, (UK), June 30: The sacred festival of Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) was celebrated with great devotion and spiritual fervour at Upton Court Park, Slough, UK on Saturday.
Organized by Shree Jagannatha Society UK (SJSUK), the event attracted over 1,000 devotees from across the country, who came together in joyous celebration of Lord Jagannatha, pulling the resplendent chariot and participating in a day filled with festive singing of devotional hymns (bhajans), songs (kirtans), and the serving of sumptuous, tasty Mahaprasad(sanctified food) to all.
This year’s UK celebration saw the deities travel from Shri Ram Mandir Southall to Upton Court Park for the grand Ratha Yatra, en route to the SloughHindu Mandir, where they will reside for the next 8 days as the abode of their auntGundicha, cementing community, cultural and spiritual ties between Greater London and the surrounding Home Counties.
At Upton Court Park, the deities were lovingly carried in a grand ceremonial Pahandi Yatra to their Ratha, rhythmically swaying to the sounds of bells, cymbals and conch shells and loud cheers of Hari Bol. The colourful and resplendent chariot (Ratha) was lovingly hand-constructed, painted and decorated by Jagannatha Bhakts who volunteered their time and effort over several days of pain-staking effort.
A ceremonial cleansing of the chariots, ChheraPahanra, was performed by Sujit Ghosh, Deputy High Commissioner from the High Commission of India in London, and Arun Thakur, Acting Chairperson and Trustee from Shri Ram Mandir Southall. The chariot was pulled by hand by ecstatic devotees through the park accompanied by the resonant sounds of devotional bhajans and kirtans. As cymbals and conches rang out in jubilation, cries of ‘Hari Bolo’ rent the air, and devotees sang and danced in blissful worship of the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannatha, several dignitaries including Jack Rankin, Member of Parliament from Windsor, Deputy Mayor of Slough Neel Rana, Slough Councillor Subash Mohindra, Jai Sharma and Balmukund Joshi Trustees from Ram Mandir Southall, and Vinod Kumar Chairperson ofthe Slough Hindu Mandir joined in pulling the chariots.Prakash Chhabria, Chairman Finloex Industries, Philanthropist Rita Hinduja-Chhabria, and Loknath Mishra UK Bank CEO also enthusiastically partook in the festivities and a unique feature was the passionate participation of local people, and the exuberant efforts of young children thrilled to be part of this jubilant festival.
Local Hindu organizations in Slough came together in the spirit of unity, offering their time and support to ensure the festival’s success. A grand feast of Mahaprasad was lovingly prepared and distributed to all participants, marking the day with divine blessings and community spirit.
Participants and spectators alike expressed their joy and spiritual fulfilment, emphasizing the significance of preserving such cultural traditions. The event also featured stalls offering traditional foods, crafts, and religious items, further enriching the experience for attendees.As the day concluded, the community left with a renewed sense of spiritual connection and cultural pride, looking forward to future celebrations. The event not only reinforced community bonds but also showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Jagannatha tradition to a diverse audience.The Shree Jagannatha Society UK remains committed to fostering cultural understanding and spiritual growth through such meaningful events.
Shree Jagannatha Society UK, a registered charity has been organising Ratha Yatra festivals in the UK since 2021. The deities of Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are currently housed and worshipped at Shree Ram Mandir, King Street, Southall, where devotees visit regularly for darshan and prayers.The Society’s mission is to establish a grand Shree Jagannatha Temple in or around London, a spiritual and cultural landmark that will serve as a hub for thousands of devotees, supporting their spiritual journey and enriching the broader community for generations to come.
“This event is not just a celebration, but a movement of faith and unity,” said Dr. Sahadev Swain, Chairperson of SJSUK. “Our vision is to build a permanent temple for Lord Jagannatha in the London area, a place where our culture, traditions, and values can flourish and be passed on to future generations”. Treasurer Bhakta Panda and outreach member Sukant Sahu,resident of Langley, Slough along with other active members of the SJSUK revealed that “besides spiritual and cultural events, the SJSUK actively promotes socio-educational events, community-based projects, health and wellness projects in the UK and India through various activities throughout the year”.
