I just got back from the celebration in Venice Beach of the 35th Annual Festival of the Chariots .
The festival Ratha Yatra commemorates the occassion where Sri Sri Jagganath ( the Lord of the Universe ) , accompanied by his brother Baladev & sister Subhadra , travel from their temple in Puri to the Gundicha temple on their chariots.
It has got to be one of the most ecstatic & transcendental of festivals in the Vaishnava calendar.
Walking up Main Street with my teacher , I could already feel the presence & splendor of the Lord , even from several blocks away from his chariot. So strong that one just had to surrender to the ebb & flow of kirtan that accompanied the pulling of the chariots.
It was also great to see & hear Maharaja in one of his rare public appearances as he explained the significance of commemorating the Ratha Yatra in present times.
There was a "kirtani" couple ( husband & wife ) who really need to learn what the words etiquette & respect mean. Especially since they use the word "Bhakti" as part of their yoga studio name. While Maharaja was talking , they were noisily preparing for their appearance after his talk. He had to call their attention for them to pipe down so he could keep his train of thought.
Actions speak louder than words. And bhaktas both of you are definitely not.
