Snana-Yatra  2 0 0 4

Last month was Lord Jagannatha's bathing ceremony, in which each year prior to Ratha-Yatra He gets bathed in a variety of auspicious substances. Consequently, He gets sick and is absent from the altar until just before Ratha-Yatra, when He recovers to enjoy the cart festival. Below are a few pictures of the Abhiseka (bathing ceremony) of Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva & Subhadra devi.

Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva & Subhadra devi dressed in petticoats before the bathing

Prahladananda das oversees the Abhiseka, as The Lord receives conches full of yogurt

Bathed in honey

Rinsed with water

Crowd participation is the key – Priyadarsani devi dasi personally bathes the Lord

Ananda-moya and Visvambhara Prabhus hold the water shower for the final stage of the Abhiseka

Ratha-Yatra  2 0 0 4

Just over 2 weeks after Snana Yatra, the Lord recovers from His transcendental illness, and goes out on His chariot. Despite falling in Winter in the Southern Hemisphere, good weather prevailed and Their Lordships were carried on a palanquin through St. Leonards Park just opposite the Temple in North Sydney. Accompanied by Their devotees and lively kirtan, the Lord enjoyed His short parade outside and in doing so benefitted all who may have witnessed the occasion.

Thier Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva & Subhadra devi on Their simhasana (seat) in the Temple

Prahladananda placing Their Lordships on the palanquin ready for the parade

Temple President Atmarama das leads the devotees who carry the Lord through the park

Up to the top of the hill in the Winter sun

Guests fanning the Lord with a peacock fan

Atop the hill in the park, overlooking Sydney CBD – another speck in the Supreme Lord's creation....

Many thanks to everyone who organised, attended and participated in both of Lord Jagannatha's festivals this year.

See you again next year for the Lord's annual outing day!