The Rath Yatra on Sunday
evening at Bandra ,to herald the 80th year opf the advent of the
Avthar, was indeed a Joyous occasion. It was a riot of colour and
pageantry marked with dignity and decorum. The venue, a beautiful
temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, was large enough to accomodate the
350 -odd devotees.
At 5 minutes past 6 in the
evening, young Bal Vikas boys heralded the start of the Rath Yatra
by invoking the blessings of the Lord chanting Vedic mantras.The boys
from the Dharmakshetra school led the colourful procession playing
rhythmic beats on the drums. The young girls from the school caught
everybody's attention as they jingled the Lezims and danced
tirelessly for almost an hour and half. There were a dozen lighted
lamps carried by bearers (baarath-style) to add sparkle to the
occasion. There were several Bal Vikas children wearing a sash or
carrying yellow placards containing Swami's teachings. Hundreds of
Mahilas ,donning the orange and yellow seva dal scarves, followed
the children, singing sarva dharma bhajans.Then followed the Youth
in sparkling whites.They sang bhajans in tandem with the mahilas,
using mikes and megaphones. Several members of the local samithis
wore dhotis and kurtas and donned orange turbans. They smilingly
ushered the horse-drawn cariage carrying Bhagwan's photo. A
spotlight added brilliance to the colourful photo of a beamimng
Swami. A few cars carrying elder members of the Trust and the
Organisation brought up the tail-end. Enthusiastic members of the
Samithis distributed Vibhuthi prasad and a 2-page brochure to
residents of the locality as well as several curious onlookers. Some
others distributed water to the devotees. The office-bearers paced
up and down to ensure that everything was working to precision.
Videographers and photographers captured the moments for posterity.
The procession returned to the
Hanuman temple after wending its ways through the streets of
Kherwadi. Shri Ruia, an elder member of the Trust, performed aarthi
to Bhagwan. Beaming devotees partook the Prasad and left for their
homes. It was indeed a memorable evening, when the Divine visited a
quite suburb of Mumbai and showered His blessings.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu.
