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The Ram Rath Yatra, initiated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and its Canadian counterpart is traversing across North America and Canada. The 60-day journey aims to connect over 1,000 Hindu temples throughout the two nations.
The yatra is set to travel for more than 16,000 miles, visiting over 850 temples in the US and 150 in Canada, to bring together Hindu communities and traditions that span the continent. The yatra marks the Ram Mandir consecration held in Ayodhya, India, on January 22, 2024.
The journey involves three raths (chariots), each adorned with images of Ram Lalla, one for the US route and two for the Canadian, are moving shrines, bringing the essence of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony from Ayodhya to the doorsteps of the Hindu diaspora. Through this pilgrimage, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad aims to unify and enrich Hindu communities across North America.
The U.S. leg of the Yatra began on the festival of Holi, March 23, 2024, at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America’s headquarters in Sugar Grove, a suburb of Chicago. The start was celebrated with traditional Hindu rituals and puja ceremonies. On its first day, the Yatra covered over 500 miles, visiting 9 temples, demonstrating its commitment to connecting Hindu communities across the country.
In Canada, the yatra’s journey commenced on March 25, starting with ceremonies at the Vishnu Temple in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The Canadian leg of the journey began with a Pran Pratishtha ceremony and puja.
The American component of the Ram Rath Yatra completed its ninth day on March 31, charting an eventful journey through nearly 100 temples across Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and parts of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. This expedition covered around 4,000 miles. At this pace, the Yatra might surpass the initially projected 8,000 miles for the U.S. leg of the journey.
Each visit, lasting less than 30 minutes, is ceremonial and adheres to a precise protocol. The idol of Ram Lalla is installed at each temple visited, if only for the brief duration of the stop. The rituals follow the guidelines provided by the Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi Trustees in India. Following these rituals, the Akshat and Prasad from the ceremony are distributed among the devotees present. In recognition of their participation, each temple is honored with an official certificate and a 2’x3’ size portrait of Ram Lalla, after which the Yatra moves on to its next destination.
The response from the Hindu community to this spiritual caravan has been overwhelming. At every temple, the Yatra is met with warmth and enthusiasm by the local temple trustees, pujaris, and a large number of devotees.
The US team embarked on its most hectic phase of the Yatra on April 1, 2024, covering the states of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. These states are not only home to the largest Hindu populations in the U.S. but also boast a high concentration of mandirs. The team plans to dedicate at least five days to this region before heading to the Philadelphia metro area, followed by visits to Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., and beyond.
Simultaneously, the Canadian team will divide into two parts, with one group heading east towards Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and the other going west to British Columbia, touching other provinces along the way. Upon their return, they’ll focus extensively on the Greater Toronto Area, marking the culmination of their journey with visits to numerous temples there, further strengthening the bonds within the Hindu community across North America.
“The Ram Rath Yatra has sparked an unparalleled sense of spiritual unity among Hindus in North America. It is more than a pilgrimage; it’s a historic event that is bringing the core of our traditions and the sacred blessings of Shri Ram Lalla right to the communities’ doorsteps,” said Amitabh Mittal, the general secretary of the VHPA who has played a key role behind this initiative.
“The Shri Ram Rath Yatra has ignited unparalleled enthusiasm across Canada, from Toronto’s Vishnu Mandir to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa to Brampton’s Triveni Mandir,” said Mahendra Bhandari of VHP Canada, “Thousands of devotees and dignitaries have taken part in a remarkable fusion of faith and community, showcasing the vibrant spirit of Hindu unity.”
Source link : https://indicanews.com/ram-rath-yatra-traversing-north-america-canada-connecting-1000-temples/amp/
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Publish date : 2024-04-06 03:00:00
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