The world famous CAR FESTIVAL

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

Well exactly seven years from this day (according to Hindu Calendar), I was in the sea of Humanity, huge crowd of devotees was surging towards the three multicolored wooden chariots standing on The Grand Road of Puri. I was nervous and excited at the same time whether I will see the deities in the chariots and whether we would be served with good food and whether there would be proper toilet facilities. These situations aroused in my mind as we were sitting at the top of a building waiting to see the deities. My father was at the front row with his colleagues and his seniors. I approached him and was offered a seat beside him at the front row. There I had a great sight of the entire scenario going on downstairs; roars of priests, beating of drums, mridangas, and trumpets. Devotees ranging from different castes to different states were present with their palms joined and praying. Also there were some mad devotees having their face colored, wearing weird kind of clothes and holding flags of nowhere. My papa asked me a question:

Papa: Do you know the names of the chariots?

Me: No! They even have a name.

Papa: Yes and they are Nandighosh, Talatdhwja, Darpadolana

I became puzzled when I heard the names and was having a series of questions to ask for. Then someone from the background said with a serious tone that Lord Jagannath is giving some difficulties to the priests carrying him.

Me: Papa! How can Lord Jagannath give difficulties to the priests? He doesn’t have life in Him.

Papa: No Beta He has eternal powers and he controls the whole universe and he is giving some strains as he is waiting for some true devotees to come.

Me: Papa! What do you mean by his name?

Papa: Lord Jagannath—clasping his palms said “jagat” means universe and “nath” means Lord. So he is the Lord of Universe.

Me: Ok. But if he is the Lord of the universe then why is he being pulled in this primitive manner? Why not they use air-conditioned cars for his traveling? And you say He is Lord and he even doesn’t have a single security guard near him?

Papa: Lord Jagannath is bound by the ropes of His devotees’ affection. He goes wherever they take him. He rides in a high, open cart because everyone can see Him and he is protected by the love of his devotees. He needs no security.

Me: Why does He have such big, round eyes?

Papa: He is staring wide-eyed at all of us showering everyone with His love. He is thrilled to see his devotees! He is an avatar of Lord Krishna and known as Shyama Sundara Krishna of Vrindavan.

Me: He doesn’t look like the beautiful statues of Krishna I have seen. Why is He called Sundara? His hands are short and His legs are not visible; this idol looks really strange.

Papa: Krishna was barely 12 years old, younger than you are now when He left Vrindavan for Mathura with brother Balarama. He promised His dear companions and His parents Yashoda and Nanda that He will return soon. The people of Vrindavan really missed Him and passed sleepless and hungry nights. He went to Dwarka where He was married and settled there. But as He is God he cannot continue to live His normal life as His devotees and dear companions were yearning to meet Him and they prayed for Him and this made Him to come back to Vrindavan again after many years. When He with his brother Balarama and sister Subhadra reached they were wonderstruck at the deep, intense love of Brijwasis for Krishna despite long years of separation. They were paralysed with shock and Their lotus-petal like eyes widen enormously to become round like saucers. And they became like you are seeing them now

Me: So Lord Jagannath is Shyama Sundara Krishna.
Papa: Yes my child!

All of the members sitting around us rose from their seats and said loudly JAI JAGANNATH.

I also said JAI JAGANNATH.