Rath Yatra is a famous religious
festival during which murtis are taken out in a chariot procession
throughout the town. Symbolically, this festival maintains
that God is the charioteer and the devotee the rider, as it
is God who helps the devotee transcend the cycles of births
and deaths. Balaks and balikas, during this evening, celebrated
this festival keeping its significance in mind.
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and
Swamishri entered the Rath Yatra assembly in a rath, after
which the evening program was about how Swamishri is the ideal
charioteer because of his love and compassion. Balaks showed
that Swamishri is always willing to make time for them, and
saints relayed prasangs of how Swamishri touched their hearts
when they were children.
Swamishri personally expressed
his affection for the children by playing a game with them
called "Swami's Ruchi"; and by saying, "I love you all," during
his evening blessings to the assembly. Swamishri also celebrated
the Rath Yatra festival by giving Shri Harikrishna Maharaj
a ride on a remote-controlled rath, and guiding a blimp that
would symbolically take the balaks and balikas to Akshardham.
)
)
)
