ISKCON Rath Yatra goes online

Can devotees have the same experience with virtual rath yatras as opposed to being physically present to partake in celebrations? The ISKCON rath yatra which attracts 15 lakh people over 9 days will be now be almost virtual this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only a few people will be allowed inside the temple premises in the heart of Kolkata where only a limited number of people will be allowed. Every year, the Mamata Banerjee govt sends its representation at the rath yatra, but celebrations this year will not be the same.

The SC order does not permit rath yatra in the current circumstances of the lockdown and pandemic, hence no pilgrims will be allowed inside the temple premises to partake in celebrations. Also, as of now, the West Bengal government has put a cap of 25 people for public gatherings or religious celebrations. Another reason why virtual celebrations will work is because ISKCON volunteers are still in different villages across West Bengal for relief work post cyclone Amphan which lashed out at Bengal on May 20. About 70 volunteers are across India and have helped feed 6 crore people so far during the crisis. “We have made the Gundica temple on the ground floor of our temple and on the day of rath yatra on June 23, the monks of ISKCON Kolkata will carry the deities and bring them to 9-day residence at Gundica Temple on ground floor of the Kolkata temple,” ISCKON said.