Boise Hare Krishna Temple and Vedic Cultural Center

July 4, 2007: Jagannath Ratha Yatra

Celebrate the Boise Ratha Yatra Festival on Wednesday July 4th in Downtown, Boise at 6:00 PM and Pull the Chariot in the 4th of July Parade.

Rath Yatra is unique and is considered by many as the grandest of all festivals. A glimpse of Lord Jagannatha on the chariot is considered to be very auspicious. Saints and the scriptures have repeatedly glorified the sanctity of this special festival. The sanctity of the festival is such that a touch of the chariot or even the ropes with which the chariot is pulled is considered enough to confer the results of several pious deeds or penance for ages. The Skanda Purana glorifies the sanctity of the Rath Yatra in the following words:

Gundicha mandapam namam yatra hamajanampura

Ashwamedha sahasrasya mahabedi tadadvabat

"Those who are fortunate to see the Deities of the Srimandira in the Gundicha Temple, the final destination of the procession of the chariots, derive the benefits of a thousand horse sacrifices, an immensely pious deed."

Schedule for Wednesday, July 4th Ratha Yatra / Parade

The Boise City July 4th parade will start from the intersection of 10th and Bannock Streets in the down town area

Decoration of Rath starts at 2:30 PM. Parade will begin at 6:00 PM and will go round from 10th and Bannock St, to 5th St and then back up Idaho St.

The schedule of events for July 4th at the temple is as follows:

2:30 PM Start Decorating the Rath with garlands at 10th and Bannock St.
6:00 PM Parade starts
7:30 PM Lords Jagannatha, Baladeva and Lady Subhadra Back at the Temple
7:30 PM Maha Harinam (Chanting and Dancing at the temple)
8:00 PM Grand Prasadam Feast

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the decoration of Rath. If you cannot please do make it to the Parade and Pull the Ratha (We will actually be pulling the Ratha with ropes). Also it is recommended that we all wear traditional clothes so we can show Boiseans our rich culture and diversity. In front of the Ratha there will be constant singing and dancing. The parade route is a walk of about one easy mile.

Fruits and flowers for the Lord are welcome. Please bring the fruits in thin aluminum container so that we can offer them to Their Lordships.

There are several sponsorships available for the Ratha Yatra festival. We also need active volunteers for the Ratha Yatra preparations. If you are interested please call us at 344-4274 for details regarding sponsorship and volunteer opportunities

Pictures of Ratha Yatra Cart

More Pictures: Click here