2021 marks the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the 50^th Kolkata Rathyatra organized by ISKCON. And due to the ongoing global pandemic, the event will be a virtual Rathyatra for the devotees this time.

On the day of Rathayatra, i.e. on 12th July 2021 at around 12 noon, Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi will be taken to other premises at ISKCON House, 22 Gurusaday Road, Kolkata-700019 where they will stay till 20th July evening.

The journey from the temple at 3C Albert Road to ISKCON House at 22 Gurusaday road, which is about 3 km away will be completed using a convey of 15 vehicles. The vehicles will travel at 15 Kms per hour and in few minutes, they will reach their “Masi Badi” or “Gundica Mandir”. The pilot cars of Kolkata Police will take them to their destination. They will stay at “masi badi” till 20th July (Ulta-Rathayatra) 4 pm and by 5 pm riding His convey of vehicles which will be escorted by Kolkata Police, They will travel back to ISKCON Temple at 3C Albert Road.

While they will be staying at their “masi badi”, every day from 4 pm to 8 pm a limited number of visitors will be allowed to walk through, and immediately after taking darshan they will walk out of the premises. This will be done keeping in mind the COVID protocols.

On the day of Rathayatra i.e. 12th July 2021, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee will be sending Bhog and her offerings at 12 noon. After offering the bhog and aarati performed on behalf of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, their Lordships will depart for “maasi badi”.

Due to the pandemic, the Hon’ble Chief Minister will not be coming to the temple personally but watching the Rathayatra virtually.

The route which will be followed on the day of Ulta-Rathayatra on 20th July 2021 has not yet been revealed.

The devotees can watch the live telecast of the Rathayatra rituals on the ISKCON Kolkata YouTube or Facebook page or on the news channels.

Stay home, stay safe and watch the Rathyatra from the comforts of your home with your family!!

Priyanka Dutta