President Donald Ramotar praised the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement for perpetuating the tradition of charity and community development when devotees gathered for the Ratha Yatra festival held in Cummings Lodge on Saturday night.
The festival was held at the site for the Nimai- Pandit Academic Preaching Study Centre, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. It commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Mata’s temple. A multitude of devotees was said to have escorted the huge, colourfully decorated chariots in commemoration.
The highlight of the festival, a chariot parade that entails constant singing and chanting of the maha-mantra, started when the president joined Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and other special invitees to light the symbolic lamp.
The president spoke proudly about the different cultures that fashion Guyana’s identity and commended the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement for carrying on its traditional celebration. The festival is held in most major cities of the world dating back to 1968, he said. Ramotar also lauded the group’s community service as the world is still challenged by poverty and inequality.
Several tents boasted information about the movement, while others had sweat meats and vegetarian food. Devotees also participated in a packed cultural programme of recitals and dance.
