The 17th Shobha Yatra will be celebrated with great devotion in Southall on Sunday 6th August 2017. The annual event organised by Shree Ram Mandir, 22 King Street, Southall is supported by many religious organisations, charities, Ministers, MPs, Councillors, Ambassadors from India, Nepal, Mauritius High Commissions, Faith Leaders, Public and Private Institutions.
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Umesh C Sharma, Chairman of Shree Ram Mandir Southall said, “such events are great initiatives by Shree Ram Mandir, King Street Southall who organise the Shobha Yatra every year to commemorate the birthday of Lord Krishna and at the same time promoting a spirit of co-existence improving human welfare through the message of interfaith harmony, equality, cohesion and brotherhood for people of all faiths living in our multi-cultural society. This year, we are blessed to have with us once again His Holiness MahaMandleshwar ‘Gita Manishi’ Swami Shri Gyananandji Maharaj from Vrindavan India who will be gracing us with his presence at the event.
The streets of Southall will reverberate with chants of devotional singing as over 5,000 thousand devotees from across the UK will sing and dance all the way to the rhythmic beats of cymbals and drums and walk in a procession passing many places of worship along the way. The Shobha Yatra (Procession) will culminate in a free vegetarian feast.
Arun Thakur, Treasurer of Shree Ram Mandir commented, “the Shobha Yatra event is renowned as being one of the largest processions outside of India and Southall will be illuminated by the wonderful colours and sounds of the annual festival – a vibrant celebration and exhibition of India’s spirituality and culture in the city. We are so fortunate in Southall to have such diverse and inclusive festivals organised by various faiths. We thank all our dedicated volunteers for their support in putting together this annual event”.
The Shobha Yatra will start at 11.30am, from Shree Ram Mandir, 22 King Street, Southall, UB2 4DA and will follow a designated route through Southall. Thereafter, Preeti Bhoj (Vegetarian Dinner) will be served from 2.30pm at the Temple. Our sincere thanks to the Anand Family of Brilliant Restaurant Southall for providing the food every year.
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ABOUT THE SHOBHA YATRA:
The annual Shobha Yatra organised by Shree Ram Mandir Southall celebrates the earthly appearance of Lord Krishna, who is described as God Himself. The Shobha Yatra is one of the biggest religious festivals to be celebrated in the UK – a day of deep spiritual renewal and celebration that effectively finishes an old year and begins a fresh one. Lord Krishna reciprocates in unique, personal ways with every devotee who offers Him love – He is the most adorable, mischievous son, the most romantic partner, the most compassionate friend. At the Shobha Yatra, devotees celebrate Lord Krishna in all of these aspects. For just as Lord Krishna reciprocates individually with His relatives and confidantes, he responds to the distinct feelings and desires held most deeply in the heart of every single worshipper.
The day is celebrated with great zeal and devotion. The Lord Krishna devotees observe fast for the entire day and night, worshipping him and stay vigil throughout the night listening to his tales, reciting hymns and singing devotional songs from the Bhagwad Gita. The birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura and Vrindavan in India celebrate this occasion with great enthusiasm and splendour. Religious plays or Raslilas are performed to recreate events from the life of Lord Krishna and to honour his love for Radha. Devotees gather to these pious places to celebrate Janmashtami. On this auspicious day, homes and temples are decorated and illuminated beautifully. Singing and dancing is marked as the celebration of this festive all over northern India. At midnight, the figurine of infant Krishna is bathed and laid in a cradle, which is rocked, amidst the ringing of bells. In the state of Maharashtra, people enact the Krishna’s childhood attempts to steal butter and curd from earthen pots which were beyond his reach. A similar earthen pot is suspended high above the ground and groups of people form human pyramids and try to reach the pot and break it. The town of Dwarka in Gujarat which is Krishna’s own land witnesses hordes of visitors gathering here for celebrations.
Lord Krishna said: “One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, takes his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode. O Arjuna” – Bhagavad-gita 4 -9
About Maha Mandleshwar ‘Gita Manishi’ Swami Gyananandji Maharaj
(Founder of G.I.E.O. Gita):
His Holiness ‘Gita Manishi’ Swami Shri Gyananand Ji Maharaj is founder of shri krishan kripa Dham in Mathura (Vrindavana), India. He is the visionary behind “ GIEO GITA “(An organization committed to spread messages of the Bhagavad Gita for the upliftment of mankind). He has simplified verses of the Gita to make it a Melody of life. A profound scholar of The Bhagavad Gita, Swami Ji through his lecture & literature is making his vision to live Gita (Gieo Gita)-A realization. His latest book “ Bhagvad Gita-A blissful global inspiration” is a light house for thousands of seekers. Standing amidst the crowd but still apart from it, serving mankind self-lessly and inspiring others to do so, enlightening thousands of lives are few of the finest qualities that Swami Ji is blessed with. Swami Gyanandji Maharaj has made spirituality a way of living. Distribution of free monthly food to widows , organizing polio operation camps, educating children in remote rural areas, establishment of cow homes (Gaushala) offering free medical services to saints of Vrindavana are only glimpses of noble deeds that are a part of his mission. His commitment to serve God by serving mankind is exemplary.
Highlights of 2017 Shobha Yatra:
For further information please contact:
Umesh C Sharma: 07903804656
OR Arun Thakur: 07958275633
Sanjay Jagatia
Director/Secretary General
Hindu Council UK