The press conference for the 52^nd Kolkata Rathyatra organized by ISKCON took place recently.

Around the world, 970 million people experience some form of mental illness. Around the world, 25% of people will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental illnesses are a contributing factor in 8 million deaths annually or 14.3% of all deaths worldwide.

The “Mental Peace” theme is the focus of the Kolkata Rathayatra this year. ISKCON devotees will educate participants on how to acquire mental serenity even in difficult circumstances in light of the growing number of people affected by mental illness globally. They want to help others find peace by eradicating ignorance’s darkness through spiritual knowledge.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal  Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the Rathayatra at 1 pm on 20th June 2023 from ISKCON temple at 3C Albert Road (Uttam Kumar Sarani) near Minto Park.

Program Schedule for 20th June Rathayatra Day:

8 am: Pahandi Vijay: Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi will walk to Their respective chariots, from ISKCON temple.

10 am to 1 pm: Cultural program in front of Lord Jagannath

1 pm: Arrival of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, dance performance by Dona Ganguly and troupe, inauguration program.

2 pm: Rathayatra starts.

The Rathayatra route is as follows: –

Rathayatra route (On Tuesday 20th June 2023 starting at 1.30 pm from Hungerford Street near Minto Park)3C Albert Road (ISKCON TEMPLE) ->Hungerford Street -> A.J.C Bose Road- >Sarat Bose Road->Hazra Road-> S.P.M Road-> A.T.M Road-> Chowringhee Road-> Exide Crossing-> J.L Nehru Road-> Outram Road-> (Straight to Brigade Parade ground).

The festival will continue at Brigade Parade Ground (opposite Park Street Metro Station) from 21st to 27th June 2023, from 4 pm to 8.30 pm daily. Attendees can visit with their families to have the darshan of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi in their Mashi-Badi and offer Puja for themselves and their loved ones. Various cultural programs, including dance performances by award-winning artists, dramas, kirtans, and magic shows, will be held to entertain the audience. Free Kichadi Mahaprasadam distribution, spiritual books, and books for children will also be available.

Three chariots representing Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev, and Lord Subhadra Devi, as well as three trolleys showing various pastimes of the Lord and His devotees, will be on display during the Rathayatra. Four minivans will also display various Lord-centered pastimes by kids. Devotee artists will use natural organic materials to create street art, while kirtaniyas will lead energizing kirtans while playing hundreds of drums and kartals.

Priyanka Dutta

Ultarathayatra route- (On Wednesday 28th June 2023 starting at 1 pm from Outram Road near Park Street Metro): Brigade Parade Ground->Outram Road-Left Turn- J.L Nehru Road-Dorina Crossing-> S.N Banerjee Road-> Moulali Crossing -> C.I.T Road-> Suhrawardy Avenue-> Park Circus 7 point crossing-> Shakespeare Sarani->Hungerford Street-3C Albert Road (ISKCON Temple).

Priyanka Dutta