A sure sign that the annual Festival of India (Ratha–Yatra) is just around the corner is the annual Snana–Yatra festival! This upcoming Sunday, Toronto’s Hare Krishna temple will be celebrating this wonderful festival, wherein Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra will be bathed amidst amazing kirtan and chanting!
After the bathing ceremony (snana–yatra), Lord Jagannātha apparently becomes sick. He is therefore removed to His private quarters, where no one can see Him. Actually, during this period renovations are made on the body of the Jagannātha Deity. This is called nava–yauvana.
During the Ratha–yātrā ceremony, Lord Jagannātha once again comes before the public. Thus for thirteen days after the bathing ceremony, Lord Jagannātha is not visible to any visitors!
A warm invitation goes out to you and your family to join in the wonderful Snana–Yatra festival this upcoming Sunday! Don’t miss out this last opportunity to see Lord Jagannatha before his grand Ratha–Yatra festival!
The festival schedule is as follows (subject to change):
6:00pm to 6:30pm – Arati
6:30pm to 6:40pm – Welcome & Announcements
6:40pm to 7:00pm – Presentation
7:00pm to 8:00pm – Bathing Ceremony
8:00pm to 8:30pm – Arati
8:30pm to 9:30pm – Prasadam