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Ratha Yatras in Malaysia
By Simheswara das

CHAKRA (Teluk Intan, Malaysia) - August 19 and 20, 2001: During his recent visit to Malaysia, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami inaugurated the 15th and 12th Annual Chariot Festival of ISKCON Teluk Intan and Ipoh on the 18th and 19th of August.

Srila Prabhupada visited both these places while on tour in Malaysia in 1971. Srila Prabhupada transited in Malaysia was on his way to Australia carrying deities of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha.

The official religion in Malaysia is Islam but there are no restrictions for other religions to practice their religions freely. The Malay language by nature has many spiritual words such as "Hari" for day, "Rama Rama" for butterfly and "Matahari" translated to mean "Eye of Hari" - the Sun. So one can imagine the benefits for the nation due to her language.

ISKCON Malaysia organizes a minimum of 14 Ratha Yatras a year in the Peninsula. All Ratha Yatras are organized by Nama Hattas in different states. The most attractive in Penang Island where three chariots ride in the city center.

At Teluk Intan a Member of the Perak State Council, The Honorable Mr. Ganesan, attended the Ratha Yatra cultural program and gave a speech glorifying ISKCON for its services in combating social ills in the country. He concluded with a pledge of US $1250 as donation to the ISKCON Teluk Intan chapter. Dr. Adi Purusha Krishna dasa, the branch chairman, is heading a temple building project which is supposed to open in December this year.

At Ipoh Tan Sri Datuk Sri Mahadevan and Datuk Majumdar Madhuri joined His Holiness to inaugurate the chariot festival. Tan Sri Datuk Sri and Datuk are titles awarded by local State Sultans, the King or the parliament for special recognition of their services for the nation. Both the dignitaries are philanthropists and are very closely associated with ISKCON Ipoh. Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mahadevan is a leading psychiatrist while Datuk Majumdar is a skin specialist.

About 1500 people attended the procession in Teluk Intan while Ipoh attracted about 1000 people.

Jayapataka Swami offered the Tan Sri the rare honor to sweep the road for Their Lordships.

© CHAKRA 29-Nov-2003

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