This past Sunday, Toronto’s Hare Krishna temple celebrated our annual Snana-Yatra festival. This festival is where Lord Jagannatha, His brother Balarama, and His sister Subadhra are given a special abisheka (bathing ceremony).
The temple room was packed with people wanting to catch a final glimpse of Lord Jagannatha as, for the next two weeks, Their Lordships have “mysteriously” contracted a cold and will be quarantined and given intensive care by their pujaris (priests).
When the two week period is completed and they are fully recovered they will come out of their temple to give darshan to everyone during the Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra Festival) on July 18-19, 2009. Thier Lordships will be riding down Yonge Street on large colourful chariots pulled by Their devotees amid ecstatic chanting of the holy names!
For more information please see the official Ratha-Yatra Website.