I have received her letter, please convey my blessings unto her. I know that you are not much for writing letters but you are much for work. This is very good proposal. Make the Rathayatra Festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it and if we can introduce successfully this Rathayatra Festival not only in San Francisco but also in New York and also in Montreal, then it will be a great success of my mission in this country.
Ratha-yatra car festival of Lord Jagannatha (Letters)
Expressions researched:
"Jagannatha"
|"Ratha yatra"
|"Ratha-yatra"
|"Rathayatra"
|"car festival"
|"festival"
Notes from the compiler:
Vedabase query: "Ratha Yatra"
Correspondence
1967 Correspondence
Letter to Mukunda -- New York 6 June, 1967:
The record which you have sent singing Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram, and other Kirtana is really a new turn and we have enjoyed the record so nicely. This Narada Muni song is in your country tune and I think it will attract many more of common man to join the Kirtana so you should practice this standard Kirtana more conveniently so that during your Rathayatra festival you can have this singing with the procession.
Please inform all the devotees, boys and girls, especially Janaki devi, that I am progressing well. As soon as I get a little strength for travelling I shall come to San Francisco. In the meantime I shall be very glad to know what arrangements you are going to do for the Rathayatra festival. Make it a grand procession and unique introduction in the United States.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Stinson Beach, Calif 11 July, 1967:
The only difficulty is that I cannot go to the temple on account of the zig-zag course of the road in crossing the mountains. Anyway, the devotees are coming here, and the Rathayatra Festival was performed with great pomp. More than 500 people followed the procession to the beach, and there were about two dozen cars. They distributed thousands of capatis, and at last Sri Jagannatha, Subhadra, and Baladeva. kindly came here in our house and will stay here for one week and then return.
1968 Correspondence
Letter to Malati -- New York 21 April, 1968:
Yes, here everything is very joyous, because so many nice boys and girls have joined the society, and they are joyfully dancing and chanting. You can let Syamasundara. know that the calculation of Rathayatra was made one month ahead. The actual date is the 28th of June; beginning of Rathayatra is on the 28th, and it will continue till 8 days, and the general festival may be observed on the 7th of July, Sunday (because Saturday is Ekadasi).
Letter to Upendra -- Allston, Mass 3 May, 1968:
So far the date of the Rathayatra festival, it is to be on the 28th of June, and will continue for 8 days. There are two festivals; one going, and one returning. So you can make plans like that. Yes, if it is necessary then you can make a nice bed for Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balarama, and keep them nicely until I return. It is your responsibility to see to keeping all the things which I left there very nicely, so please see to it.
Letter to Upendra -- Allston, Mass 1 June, 1968:
For the present, you endeavor to make the Rathayatra Festival grand successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighboring people may be attracted to join the procession.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Montreal 7 June, 1968:
I know both you and your wife are very sincere servitors of the Lord, and if Malati delivers her baby during the Rathayatra festival, then she can take one month's rest in July, and may be able to accompany you with her newly born Krishna Consciousness baby.
Letter to Gargamuni -- Montreal 7 June, 1968:
I am planning to go to London from here although for the present, the program is for two to three months in Montreal. Please make the Rathayatra festival as successful as possible. I understand from the letters of other devotees that San Francisco is arranging to get at least 1000 to 5000 people to participate in the procession. If they all chant Hare Krishna with the procession, it will be a great success of our movement.
Letter to Mukunda -- Montreal 11 June, 1968:
I have already heard that in San Francisco they are going to celebrate Rathayatra festival very successfully. In New York also they will perform this ceremony, and most probably here in Montreal the ceremony will be performed. The Montreal temple is very big and spacious, and there is good prospect for organizing this temple.
Letter to Subala -- Montreal 12 June, 1968:
You can observe Rathayatra Festival there on 27th june. Hope you are well.
Letter to Hayagriva -- Montreal 14 June, 1968:
I thought that you were going to San Francisco as you informed me previously that during Rathayatra festival you would be there. The Rathayatra festival is going to be held between 27th June to 7th July, and they are making broader arrangement than last year, and expecting people numbering from 1000 to 5000 will attend the procession, chanting Hare Krishna.
Letter to Subala -- Montreal 23 June, 1968:
I have also advised Sriman Umapati Brahmacari to join you. He is now in San Francisco as in S.F. they will require his help during the Rathayatra Festival. I am advising him to join you just after the festival.
Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 24 June, 1968:
Please accept my blessings. Just now I understand from Mahapurusa das that you phoned here to inquire whether the temple can be closed for your going to San Francisco on the Rathayatra Festival. Since the temple is started, the temple cannot be closed on any day.
Letter to Upendra -- Montreal 4 July, 1968:
Please accept my blessings. I was in due receipt of your letter dated Sunday, June 23, 1968. And your vivid description of the prearrangement of Rathayatra ceremony was so nice and elaborate that it has moved my heart. I thank you very much for grasping the momentum of Krishna Consciousness, by your advanced service attitude.
Letter to Upendra -- Montreal 4 July, 1968:
In the meantime, Gargamuni has come here and I have heard from him the details of your procession and it is so much engladdening to my heart. I thank you all very much for making the Rathayatra festival so successful. Please convey my gratitude to all the boys and girls who participated in this great transcendental service.
Letter to Upendra -- Montreal 4 July, 1968:
I shall be glad to hear from you about further details of our successful Rathayatra procession. Hope you are well.
Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 7 July, 1968:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 2, 1968, describing very briefly and emotionally about the nice success of our Rathayatra festival. When Gargamuni came here the other day he also described it so nicely and now you can understand the specimen of transcendental pleasure in which the human society as a whole can take part and realize transcendental bliss.
Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 7 July, 1968:
There is a good chance for opening a center, in Florida, through the exigency of Mr. John Fugate, a friend of Dayananda. To implement this transcendental bliss to the people of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Rathayatra festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to overflood your country with waves of transcendental bliss, by the Grace of Krishna.
Letter to Aniruddha -- Montreal 7 July, 1968:
My idea is that if simply by narrating the Crucifixion incident of Lord Jess Christ, the Roman Catholic Religion can spread to such a wide area of the world, how much there is great potency of spreading our Krishna Consciousness by depicting hundreds of thousands of such incidents like Rathayatra. There is not one incident like Rathayatra, but there are many hundreds of thousands of incidents in different appearances of the incarnations of Lord Krishna.
Letter to Jayananda -- Montreal 12 July, 1968:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 3, 1968. I have heard about your successful execution of Rathayatra festival in San Francisco from so many sources. And I am so glad to hear the news. But till now I have not received any newspaper clippings, or photostats of news articles. I am very much anxious to get them.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Montreal 15 July, 1968:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter with thanks, dated July 8, 1968, and I must say that the Rathayatra festival was so successful for your diligent labor only. If you would not have constructed such a nice ratha (car) in such a short time, it would not have been possible to perform the grand festival.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Montreal 15 July, 1968:
I have learned the description of the Rathayatra festival verbally from so many persons who came to see me from San Francisco, and I have received the photo album from Gurudasa. But I have not received any newspaper clippings, which I am very much anxious to see.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Montreal 15 July, 1968:
Regarding London-yatra: (like Rathayatra—yatra means travel.) I am contemplating of forming the following party: yourself and your wife, Mukunda and his wife, Gaurasundara and his wife, Hamsaduta and his wife, Pradyumna and Upendra.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Montreal 16 July, 1968:
Please try to send one copy as soon as possible. you will know about my plan about London-yatra from the letter which I am addressing today of the Rathayatra festival. I understand that Mukunda and Janaki are now living with you, but I have not received any letter from them.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Montreal 16 July, 1968:
Your appreciation of the Rathayatra festival and realizing the beauty of Kirtana and Jagannatha as well as the magnanimity of Lord Caitanya in His sublime teachings, are some of the wonderful things that I mark in your progressively advancement in Krishna Consciousness.
Letter to Gurudas -- Montreal, Quebec Canada July 16, 1968:
Please try to send one copy as soon as possible. You will know about my plan about London-yatra from the letter which I am addressing today to Shyamsundar. I am so much satisfied with your successful performance of Rathayatra festival and I am awaiting to see similar festivals in all our other centers, including one in the prospective London center.
Letter to Yamuna devi -- Montreal, Quebec Canada July 16, 1968:
Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter dated July 9, 1968, giving a vivid description of the Rathayatra festival. I understand that Mukunda and Janaki are now living with you, but I have not received any letter from them. Anyway, I understand that Mukunda is leading now a nice Kirtan party in the streets, and there is good response.
Letter to Yamuna devi -- Montreal, Quebec Canada July 16, 1968:
Your appreciation of the Rathayatra festival and realizing the beauty of Kirtan and Jagannatha as well as the magnanimity of Lord Chaitanya in His sublime teachings, are some of the wonderful things that I mark in your progressively advancement in Krishna Consciousness. Please try to continue this attitude and you will be more and more happy in your life, and at the end, get entrance into the association of Krishna.
Letter to Jadurani -- Montreal 30 August, 1968:
The San Francisco devotees especially some of the Indian residents, who have taken interest in our temple, since the Rathayatra festival was performed, they are very much anxious to see me, and they have proposed to cooperate fully with our movement. So I think I should go there and encourage them.
Letter to Gurudasa -- San Francisco 18 September, 1968:
I am so glad to learn that you are active in preaching Krishna Consciousness in London. You all 3 couples are expert in the matter of preaching Krishna Consciousness, and your last effort in the matter of performing Ratha Yatra festival was so successful. So I am sure by your combined effort in London, there will be a great successful center.
Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 17 September, 1968:
You have sent me a note dated 9/10/68, which reads as follows: "Dear Swamiji, Please accept my most humble obeisances. Enclosed is a magazine published by Sri Srimad Parbat Maharaja which Jaya Govinda sent us. You will be interested to see one article published about the San Francisco Ratha Yatra festival. (Brahmananda das)" From this note it appears that Parvat Maharaja is misrepresenting himself as the publisher of the paper "Truth." But actually he is not so. It is published by one very big Doctor, Medical Practitioner, Dr. N.R. Sen. I knew this gentleman in connection with my medical business.
1969 Correspondence
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Buffalo 22 April, 1969:
Your idea to go to San Francisco for a short time is nice. Yes, the San Francisco temple has deteriorated from its original position, so please try to reinstate it. Jivananda and Harsarani may also go there to help. You may also help to plan for the Rathayatra Festival, because this tradition must be continued. Regarding Girish, until I go to New Vrindaban, Girish may stay there. Otherwise he may be admitted in some school.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Allston, Mass 6 May, 1969:
The Rathayatra may be fixed up from the 20th July to the 27th July, seven days continually. In the meantime, if you get the church in contemplation, it will be very, very nice. I am sending the papers which may help in this connection.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Allston, Mass 6 May, 1969:
I am also glad to learn that you are going to San Francisco to adjust things there. By the 12th instant, when you are there you should help arrange for the Rathayatra Festival. This is to take place some time after the 15th of July, and you can fix up the days from the 20th of July to the 27th of July.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Allston, Mass 6 May, 1969:
There is every possibility of me observing the Rathayatra Festival in London, because I received one letter from Syamasundara., and they are seriously attempting for this occasion, and they are thinking of inviting me during that period.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Columbus, Ohio 15 May, 1969:
Anyway, I am encouraged that somebody is trying for a church in cooperation with Mr. George Harrison. Formerly, Syamasundara. also informed me of this fact as well as of the arrangements for the Rathayatra Festival. I shall be glad to know in your next letter how far you have made progress in this connection.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 23 May, 1969:
The Rathayatra Festival program as suggested by you to invite many new people is very encouraging. Please do it very seriously, and make San Francisco a perfect New Jagannatha Puri. I think it will not be difficult because in San Francisco there are many nice devotees such as Dindayal, Cidananda, Makhanlal, as well as new devotees, such as Ojasvi and Devaprastha.
Letter to Harer Nama -- New Vrindaban 23 May, 1969:
I am glad that you have received some money from your grandmother, and you wish to send it to me for my book fund. In the meantime, there is Rathayatra Festival propogation, and Tamala Krishna wishes that all branches on the Western Coast may conjointly perform this ceremony very pompously. I do not know if you have got any news already, but if you have, please cooperate fully to make the Rathayatra Festival a grand success.
Letter to Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 26 May, 1969:
Regarding Rathayatra, this must be done at any cost. I may go or not go; that is not important. But Rathayatra Festival, as you have already made program, somehow or other it must be done. A grand program is being made in San Francisco, organized by Tamala Krishna, and with the full cooperation of all Western Coast centers.
Letter to Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 26 May, 1969:
They are inviting public from all the neighboring places, and they expect a big assembly of people. If I do not go to London to take part in the Rathayatra Festival there, then I shall go to San Francisco to take part in that Festival. But if you want me to go there and invite me, then I am prepared for that also.
Letter to Upendra -- New Vrindaban 26 May, 1969:
Regarding your decision to wait until you are more able to handle it before purchasing the church, that is good idea. Try to cooperate with Tamala Krishna as far as possible in preparing for the Rathayatra Festival. Tamala is now managing all the Western Coast centers, so please help him to make the Festival a grand success. But I think that for at least two or three days you must come to San Francisco for Rathayatra. You are one of our old members, so when you come for a few days someone else may stay there to run the temple in your absence.
Letter to Yamuna -- New Vrindaban 27 May, 1969:
So try to nicely observe this Rathayatra Festival in London, and Syamasundara. has already informed me about the scheme that three cars will be drawn to some park on the Thames, etc. So some way or other, if you can introduce this Car Festival in London, by all means London center will be successful. I doesn't matter if you can or cannot establish a temple there, but if you can introduce the Rathayatra Festival, surely it will be a great success. So try to execute this will as far as possible.
Letter to Mukunda -- New Vrindaban 27 May, 1969:
I will be in New Vrindaban till the end of June, and if I don't go to London then, I shall go to San Francisco to attend the Rathayatra Festival in July. Tamala Krishna is arranging for a grand scale performance of this years Festival.
Letter to Dayananda -- New Vrindaban 1 June, 1969:
I have already written to Tamala Krishna that if I am not invited to London during the month of June, then sometimes in July early I shall go to San Francisco to see the Rathayatra Festival there, and then I will come down to Los Angeles.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 1 June, 1969:
Your idea of using the Moose Hall is also very nice. During the Rathayatra Ceremony, you invite Mrs. Sumitra Sarkar, who last year reported our Rathayatra Ceremony to India. She is the daughter of the editor of Jugantar, an important paper in Calcutta.
Letter to Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 3 June, 1969:
If my presence is required, I am prepared to go at any moment within the month of June, because I am thinking of going to San Francisco in July for Rathayatra which Tamala Krishna is arranging. This Festival was successful in San Francisco in the years 1967 and 68 because of your presence there, so now they are feeling your absence, but they are courageous to do it successfully somehow or other. Tamala has called Nara Narayana to do carpentry work, so he will be going there. So I shall see Rathayatra either in SF or in London. If arrangement is made to call me to London I will go there as first preference. So as you let me know the day to day progress, and if this progress is suitable, then I shall go to London.
Letter to Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 3 June, 1969:
Anyway, keep friendship with her. She is trying to love Krishna and that is good. Why not ask her to help you perform the Rathayatra? If she can give financial help, all other help will come. Please thank Malati for her nice letter of May 30th. If you can please take quotation from some Holland printer how much they will charge to print a book exactly like TLC we can utilize this information. I hope you are well and await your reply.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- New Vrindaban 7 June, 1969:
So cooperate together nicely, and I hope our Hamburg center will very soon become the important center in Europe. In London they have not yet been able to find out a suitable place, but still they are prepared to celebrate the Rathayatra Festival there. But so far I have received no definite information on this festival. Under the circumstances I am not yet certain whether or not I shall go to London, but in your letter under reply you have expressed the desire of my going to Germany, so do you think you are able to receive me there at the present stage? My going to Germany means lots of expenditures, including travel fare, etc.
Letter to Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969:
I was planning to go to Los Angeles because Tamala Krishna and others are insisting that I attend the Rathayatra Festival that they are performing very pompously in San Francisco. They have secured a wonderful hall at the beach where the festival will be held and the proprietor of the hall has donated the hall for one week's use.
Letter to Syamasundara -- New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969:
Regarding Rathayatra Festival in London, it is my great desire that you must perform it. I hope you have already secured permission from Scotland Yard in this connection. You will be glad to know that Mr. John Lennon had an interview with Vibhavati, and a nice article was published in the Montreal Star in which it is understood that he also is interested in our Krishna Consciousness Movement.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969:
That is certain. So even if I do not go to Los Angeles, the Festival will be nicely performed there. If I go to London I shall see that the Rathayatra Festival is also performed there, and I have written to Syamasundara. expressing my great desire like this. But everything depends on Krishna's disposal.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969:
Regarding your questions, it is all right to make up the plates for the feast as you have suggested so the guests will not have so long a wait after the offering. The the first plate made up, Krishna's plate, should be kept in a high place, a separate place, and covered. Then it is all right. Regarding Visala's idea of selling his car, that is all right, and the money may be utilized for Rathayatra Festival.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- New Vrindaban 20 June, 1969:
I am very pleased to learn that you are planning for a nice Rathayatra Festival in Boston. Please do it nicely, and take many nice photographs for publication in BTG. Yesterday I received one telegram from London to send them by cable $1,025.00.
Letter to Jayapataka -- New Vrindaban 21 June, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I am so glad to receive your letter dated 18 June, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. The Rathayatra Festival you will perform from the 20th of July to the 27th of July. The main item is the car, so how will you observe the Festival with out the required car, or ratha.
Letter to Jayapataka -- New Vrindaban 21 June, 1969:
This is the system, and the care is taken in great procession, complete with chanting, flowers, etc. This year Boston is also trying to celebrate the Rathayatra Festival, and if you like, you may open correspondence with Satsvarupa in this connection, and he will help you with further ideas.
Letter to Jayapataka -- New Vrindaban 21 June, 1969:
I am so glad to learn that Kirtana is going on, and by Krishna's Grace you are getting some collections. This is very good news. If during Rathayatra, you cannot keep on the seaside, then you take the car in procession to the riverside, and come back the same day. For the eight days, as far as possible distribute prasadam, especially kitcherie.
Letter to Yamuna -- New Vrindaban 21 June, 1969:
I understand that Mataji is going to donate one pair of Sri Murtis. I do not know what size they will be, but I have also ordered one pair of Sri Murtis, 24" high. I hope your arrangements for Rathayatra Ceremony are going ahead, and I shall be glad to hear from you at my Los Angeles address.
Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 24 June, 1969:
The house is very nice, calm and quiet. Yes, for the present my program is to stay here for one month, but if I do not go to London, then I shall stay longer. Surely I shall go to San Francisco to take part in the Rathayatra Festival if I do not go to London. But I also want to see you, if possible, before the Rathayatra Festival.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 26 June, 1969:
I think if you come here and stay for a few days to study how they are doing things nicely, it will be a great benefit. Besides that, in San Francisco they are arranging for a nice Rathayatra Festival. So after getting all these ideas, if you make a program for touring all over the country with Sankirtana Party, that is cent per cent supported by me.
Letter to Cidananda -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1969:
If you meet Reka the Bengali Lady, tell her that I have received her letter without her present address. If she wants to come here she is welcome otherwise I am going there until Ratha Yatra festival.
Letter to Cidananda -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1969:
Please convey my blessings to Jayananda, who is helping so much now in organizing for the Rathayatra Festival. Regarding Karatieya, if he wants to go to Germany, he can go, but if you require him in San Francisco at present, don't encourage him to go at present.
Letter to Cidananda -- Los Angeles 3 July, 1969:
Just today I have received invitation from Krishna das that they want me to go immediately there, and even they have purchased one ticket for me. I will not be able to go to Germany immediately, but perhaps after the Rathayatra Festival this may be arranged.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 4 July, 1969:
So for the time being you can return this ticket, and as I am going to San Francisco to take part in the Rathayatra Festival which is going to be performed in a considerable grand scale, arranged by all the devotees on the West Coast; namely Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sante Fe, Seattle, Vancouver, etc. So your program may be suspended for a fortnight at least.
Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 5 July, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 1, 1969, and I have noted the contents carefully. I am glad to inform you that I will be arriving in San Francisco around the 25th or 26th of July, and I will see you there during the Rathayatra Festival. Regarding your questions, "Is Subhadra, Lord Krishna's Sister, the same Durga or Maya?", the answer is that originally Krishna's energy is one: that is spiritual energy.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1969:
Most probably another center in Laguna Beach will be opened soon, and they are arranging for a gorgeous Rathayatra Ceremony in San Francisco. So you have all my blessings and encouragement for your nice preaching work, and I can simply pray to Krishna to save you from all sorts of difficulties.
Letter to Rayarama -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1969:
So far as your coming here, if you get money you can come by the 16th or 17th of July as you have stated, and then return to New York, that is all right. But I am scheduled to go to San Francisco by the 25th, and after finishing the Rathayatra Ceremony, in all probability I will be going to Germany. I understand that Krishna Das has already sent my ticket from New York to Luxembourg, but I have not received it as yet. Probably it is on the way.
Letter to Murari -- Los Angeles 11 July, 1969:
I have heard that you have mentioned to Brahmananda that your temple will contribute $3,000 dollars for my book fund. This is very good news for me, and try to send it as soon as possible. I am so pleased that you are arranging for the Rathayatra Festival very nicely, and similarly in London, Buffalo, and what to speak of San Francisco, they are arranging. In San Francisco it is going to be unique thing in this world. Regarding a house, you look for a place.
Letter to Carl Lange -- Los Angeles 12 July, 1969:
I am glad to learn that you are coming to San Francisco for the Rathayatra Ceremony, and I am so much obliged to you for contributing each month for the book fund. Thanking you once more. I hope this meets you in good health.
Letter to Bhagavan, Krsna Bhamini -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1969:
I understand that Hamsaduta works best when he can be in charge of the situation, so when he arrives he may act as the temple president and you shall be his assistants. When I speak with Hamsaduta and Himavati in San Francisco during Rathayatra Festival we shall make definite arrangements as to when they shall arrive. In the meantime, I am very pleased with both of your nice attitudes and endeavors, and may Krishna bless you for this.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 7, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. Rather then answering your points now, I think when we meet again in San Francisco Rathayatra Ceremony we shall discuss things. But one thing is that I have a very nice place in mind where yourself and Himavati may go to help start one temple.
Letter to Yamuna, Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 15 July, 1969:
I have noted all the contents carefully, and I am so glad to know that you are arranging so nicely the temple paraphernalia as well as the Rathayatra Festival. You have got two great responsibilities to function. Do it to your best capacity, and Krishna will give you all facilities without fail.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 15 July, 1969:
I am also glad to know that Rathayatra arrangements are going nicely, and so also in your country, especially in San Francisco, Boston, Buffalo, as well as New York. There also they are arranging nicely. Most probably in Boston it will be as good as in San Francisco.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 17 July, 1969:
You should become a little spendthrift. I know that you do this, but still I am reminding you. I am so pleased that you will be holding a grand scale Rathayatra Ceremony, and in London also they are planning a very glorious function with at least 5,000 guests participating.
Letter to Sri Goswami -- Los Angeles 17 July, 1969:
You will be pleased to know that in the Western World also there will be held several grand scale Rathayatra Festivals. Our temples in San Francisco, London, Boston, Buffalo and New York are all planning very gorgeous parades and ceremonies very similar to the ones held in Puri.
Letter to Gajendra -- Los Angeles 20 July, 1969:
So as you will be having several new men there to help you after the Rathayatra Festival, Sankirtana Party will be the better way of distributing BTG. Regarding your question about offering camphor in aratrik, I do not know why you should be having trouble with smoke and soot by this offering.
Letter to Pradyumna -- Los Angeles 24 July, 1969:
I am glad that you are also holding a Rathayatra Festival. I am going tomorrow to San Francisco to participate in the same Rathayatra Festival there. We received report from New York that they have collected last week $1,000, and they are selling at a rate of 200 copies of BTG daily, on weekends especially.
Letter to Mandali Bhadra -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:
Krishna as the only one Lord of everything is confirmed in the Brahma Samhita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya Caritamrta, and all Vedic literature. Rathayatra is celebrating the occasion when Lord Krishna, or Lord Jagannatha attended one religious functional occasion in Kuruksetra along with His elder brother and younger sister in a big chariot.
Letter to Mandali Bhadra -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:
P.S. Yesterday Rathayatra festival was performed very pompously in S.F. in my presence. I have come back just in the afternoon. I shall send you the necessary papers of Rathayatra later on.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:
Just this afternoon I returned from San Francisco where they have held a gigantic Rathayatra Ceremony just on the order of the ones held at Jagannatha Puri. There were at least 10,000 young and old people, all chanting and dancing in bliss and ecstasy for the entire day, starting from 12 noon and going on till after evening.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:
This afternoon I returned from San Francisco where there was a very, very successful Rathayatra Ceremony. There were at least 10,000 people who walked with us to the ocean for a ten mile parade, and everyone was chanting and dancing in ecstasy.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:
I am not very sorry for this at all because I know that you are now engaged for Rathayatra Festival and for fixing up the temple. But I hope that soon you will fulfill your quota of selling 5,000 copies in London. In the issues #25 and #26 you will find very, very nice articles. So execute your duties faithfully and sincerely.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 28 July, 1969:
Krishna das is asking me to go to Hamburg repeatedly, and he sent a ticket also from New York to Luxembourg, but I cancelled it because I was expected at the Rathayatra Ceremony. Now again he says to go there sometimes in the month of August, so I am asking your opinion about this. I think if you both cooperate to receive me in Europe, that will be financially easier.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 29 July, 1969:
P.S. The Rathayatra festival was very successful in S.F. I am awaiting report of your festival in Boston. ACB The London advertisement is enclosed herewith.
Letter to Prahladananda -- Los Angeles 29 July, 1969:
So if you let all the residents of Buffalo hear the sound of Hare Krishna and read our literatures, then there will be the greatest all-around benefit. This past weekend in San Francisco there was a gigantic Rathayatra Ceremony just on the order of the one held at Jagannatha Puri, and at least 10,000 people were chanting and dancing along with us in full transcendental ecstasy.
Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
He has done very nicely here in the Rathayatra Festival, and it was very successful in San Francisco. I shall send you later on the reprint pictures published in the local newspapers, and you will be glad to learn that about 10,000 people participated in this function.
Letter to Subala -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
This Monday I returned from San Francisco where they performed the Rathayatra Ceremony, and it was tremendously successful. There were about 10,000 people who joined us for the day, beginning from 12:00 in the afternoon, and lasting till around 10:00 at night.
Letter to Lilavati -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
P.S. The S.F. Rathayatra was a grand success & I am awaiting the report of Boston Rathayatra.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of July 28, 1969, and I could not understand from your half-finished letter whether Rathayatra Ceremony was performed according to a subdued program. But I could understand that you are immersed in great confusion on account of the wheels giving way just after starting.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
So don't be disappointed. Maybe Krishna's desire is something higher in this connection. If the Rathayatra has not been performed, you can postpone it to be performed on the Janmastami Festival. There is no harm if you postpone the function to a later date, and the public will appreciate it. You consult amongst yourselves without being discouraged and patiently work for its being performed one month later.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
Jagannatha and Krishna are the same Supreme Personality. If it is Krishna's desire that He should enjoy the function on Janmastami Day, it might be He put some hindrance on the Rathayatra Day plans.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
So far as San Francisco Rathayatra Festival, it was very pompously and successfully executed in my presence. There were about 10,000 people attending the function. The procession was led from our temple through Golden Gate Park and some other streets.
Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
Regarding kholes from Bombay, I was expecting your father's reply by this time. Anyway, I hope to receive the same as soon as possible. Last week I was in San Francisco, and the Rathayatra Ceremony was a grand success. I hope this will meet you in good health.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 31 July, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter dated July 25, 1969 and noted the contents with great encouragement, but at the same time I received one letter from Gurudasa which was not very encouraging. He told me about the difficulty that was had in performing the Rathayatra Festival, and I am enclosing a copy of the letter to you which I replied to Gurudasa.
Letter to Sri K. L. Goswami -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969:
Replying your letter of July 23rd, 1969, I beg to enclose herewith some newspaper cuttings for your information how we have performed Rathayatra Ceremony in San Francisco, London, Buffalo, Boston and Ohio.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letters dated July 16th, 22nd and 27th, and I have noted all of the contents carefully. I have also received some photographs of your Rathayatra Day ceremony, sent to me by Sri Govinda. It appears to be very, very nice, and I am having these photographs reprinted together on one page so I may show the others how nicely you have done it.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 12 August, 1969:
Regarding the collapsing of the wheels during Ratha Yatra Ceremony, that doesn't matter. If possible, you may organize another procession on Janmastami Day.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 12 August, 1969:
Regarding the collapsing of the wheels during Ratha Yatra Ceremony, that doesn't matter. If possible, you may organize another procession on Janmastami Day. Regarding the footprint on Krishna's chest which you say is Radharani's, that is not correct. That footprint is of Bhrgu Muni.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 12 August, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of the 13rd Sept., and I am so glad to learn that you are active in preaching Krishna Consciousness in London. You all 3 couples are expert in the matter of preaching Krishna Consciousness, and your last effort in the matter of performing Ratha Yatra festival was so successful. So I am sure by your combined effort in London, there will be a great successful center. I am so pleased to learn about your staunch faith in Krishna and your Spiritual Master.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 15 August, 1969:
A little sample of Krishna Consciousness exhibited in San Francisco during the Ratha yatra Festival was very much appreciated by the public. I think in the San Francisco Examiner it was said that people followed the Ratha and experienced so much joy as they had never enjoyed at any time within recent memory. The reason is that we are giving people direct contact with Krishna, the Reservoir of all pleasure. Our administration may be not very perfect, but that fact is that as soon as one is in contact with Krishna he will be happy. So you have got a very nice thing, Krishna Consciousness, for distributing to the suffering humanity, and do it nicely, combinedly.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 17 August, 1969:
If they kindly join in chanting Hare Krishna, that will make our movement successful. Then gradually make them more and more advanced by participating in Love Feasts and ceremonies, like Janmastami and Rathayatra. Then everything will go smoothly. The only thing wanted is that we should work very sincerely, with full faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then all help will come automatically.
Letter to Swami B. S. Bhagavata Maharaja -- Los Angeles 21 August, 1969:
enclosures: copies of news cuttings of our Rathayatra Festival, which we held in San Francisco, London, Boston, Ohio, and Hamburg.
Letter to Brahmananda -- London 22 September, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letters dated September 17th, 18th, 1969. Regarding the Rathayatra articles, Purusottama has sent you the article for San Francisco Festival, and by tomorrow most probably Gurudasa will send you an article about London Festival. So far as MacMillan is concerned, I have written to Gargamuni. Gargamuni is organizing book-selling, and perhaps you have received his memo to all temple presidents regarding selling our literature.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- England 30 September, 1969:
I am so glad to learn that since you have gone to San Francisco, the center is improving daily, beginning from Rathayatra Festival, and you are also selling BTGs nicely. This means Krishna is giving you the opportunity to serve Him. Actually, Krishna is the Supreme Proprietor of everything.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Tittenhurst 15 September, 1969:
You all 3 couples are expert in the matter of preaching Krishna Consciousness, and your last effort in the matter of performing Ratha Yatra festival was so successful. So I am sure by your combined effort in London, there will be a great successful center. I am so pleased to learn about your staunch faith in Krishna and your Spiritual Master.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- London 24 October, 1969:
So it is a good chance, and the best opportunity is that we can keep the three Rathas in the garage. As expressed by you, our Rathayatra Festival in San Francisco must be continued every year with increased gorgeousness. I hope Krishna will bless you. So try to complete this purchase. I have got complete approval.
Letter to Brahmananda -- London 25 November, 1969:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated November 21, 1969 and noted the contents. The dummy BTG #30 Special Rathayatra Issue is very, very nice. Regarding the printing order, I think henceforward you should publish 50,000 at least and they may be distributed as follows: 20,000 to the East Coast, 10,000 to the West Coast, and 20,000 to the others (Middle States and other countries).
1970 Correspondence
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 10 February, 1970:
I am so glad to learn that you wish to distribute the Krsna book in Europe to the extent of minimum 2,500. It does not matter what it is, but you try your best—that is required. Regarding Rathayatra festival, I have already written to Acyutananda for the exact date which I shall send you as soon as possible. But you can make arrangement of this Rathayatra festival for taking place sometimes in the month of July. Last year it was a great pleasure for me to participate in the S.F. Rathayatra; so this year, if you invite me, certainly I shall go to London; but for transcendental competition with S.F. you have to introduce three Rathas as they are done in Jagannatha Puri. But if it is difficult for many reasons, then you can accommodate all the three Deities on one Ratha.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 14 February, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated 10 and 12 February, 1970 respectively. I am glad to learn that you are early planning for the upcoming Ratha-yatra festival. In this connection, I have requested the exact date of the festival from India but it has not yet been replied, so you may plan for any suitable date between 20 and 31 July—even if it does not correspond, we have to arrange conveniently, that is allowed.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 14 February, 1970:
So far additions for this years Rathayatra, you may make three Rathas, one for each of the Deities. The rest of the details are already there, simply you may may supply more money for festoons, decorations, flowers, bells, flags, etc. The Spiritual Sky is far away, but you just try to do it following Jagannatha Puri Rathayatra. Jagannatha Puri or wherever Rathayatra is performed is not different from the spiritual sky.
Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 18 February, 1970:
I am very glad to learn that Michael and Henning are both very sincere boys, and Henning is an expert carpenter. If they go to London to help Syamasundara. with building the Rathayatra car, that will be a great service. Please offer them my blessings; and the more they become enthusiastic in Krsna's service, the more they will feel transcendental bliss and become advanced in Krsna Consciousness.
Letter to Sivananda -- Los Angeles 18 FEbruary, 1970:
P.S. I think that many of you may go to London to participate in the Rathayatra festival there. That will be very nice.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 21 February, 1970:
Regarding the court case, I am sending herewith one news cutting how they were released in Detroit. Regarding the exact date for celebration of Rathayatra Festival, it is on the 5th July until the return journey of Lord Jagannatha on the 14th July. Before Rathayatra, on June 19, there is a ceremony of bathing Lord Jagannatha after which Lord Jagannatha falls sick with fever from too much bathing. Then He takes rest and no one is allowed to visit, but He reappears on Rathayatra day.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 25 February, 1970:
If you arrange, I will certainly come during Rathayatra. You will have to arrange for passages for at least two men, coming and going.
Letter to Malati -- Los Angeles 6 March, 1970:
Regarding your thoughts of grand Rathayatra festival, this year there must be a very grand procession of Rathayatra, and ask Syamasundara. to induce George to lead in the procession. Syamasundara. has asked me to go there, so if I am not very seriously engaged, I must go. But if George and John join in the procession, it will be a great success.
Letter to Mukunda -- Los Angeles 24 March, 1970:
It is a good addition to my missionary activities, and I thank you very much. In the London streets, introduction of Rathayatra procession, as well as Lord Caitanya's Birthday ceremony procession, and in the most important part of the city, a Radha Krsna Temple—all these things are great achievement of your London Yatra party, and personally I feel a great credit for me because by such activities my Guru Maharaja is certainly very pleased upon us.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 26 March, 1970:
I am very glad to learn that you have already been promised for $15,000, and I think these are indication of your getting a nice house very soon. Ratha Yatra Festival is your most important function of the year. I introduced this Ratha Yatra in San Francisco, accepting the place as New Jagannatha Puri. So this festival must be observed very gorgeously every year. Similarly, if two other processions like on the Birthday of Lord Caitanya as well as on the Birthday of Lord Krsna, are observed, it will be still nicer.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 12 April, 1970:
Besides that, what are you going to do about Rathayatra? Both you and Murari are good carpenters. So I shall be glad to learn what is your program about Rathayatra.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 12 April, 1970:
During Rathayatra ceremony I will suggest that Lord Jagannatha be carried from London to Oxon in Their chariots and in procession and Lord Jagannatha live for 8 days from the 5th to 14th July at the chapel house of George.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 26 April, 1970:
Now you should recruit men for our purpose from Europe as many as possible, in France, Germany, England, etc. All of you do everything conjointly, and at the same time try to organize the World Sankirtana Party. Always be in touch with Tamala, Mukunda, Umapati, Syamasundara., etc., and perform Rathayatra ceremony in London very gorgeously this year because all of you are there.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 15 May, 1970:
Radharani is His childhood friend. But Krsna, after returning to His father's home at Dvaraka, came to see Kuruksetra during some solar eclipse. At that time His sister Subhadra and brother Balarama also came in a chariot, and this incident is worshiped as Jagannatha Rathayatra. The conclusion is that Jagannatha and Krsna is the same.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 16 May, 1970:
It is very good news that you have now received permission for the Rathayatra festival and Murari and Syamasundara. are constructing the Ratha. But I do not know if you are preparing three Rathas. In San Francisco they are preparing three Rathas this year.
Letter to Sivananda -- Los Angeles 16 May, 1970:
Regarding your staying back during Rathayatra, I think that is just a nice arrangement because someone must remain with the Temple during the absence of the others. Also since you are having some trouble with the immigration because of draft, and you already got a nice German wife, the best thing will be to make your headquarters there in Germany.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 17 May, 1970:
Regarding Rathayatra, Jagannatha starts on the second day of the moon, and on the fifth day there is no meeting, but there is some controversy with Laksmi's servants and Jagannatha's servants—that is Herapancami. Jagannatha returns back on the tenth day of the moon.
Letter to Hayagriva -- Los Angeles 22 May, 1970:
If I go to Vrndavana, I will go during Janmastami festival there to see how Kirtanananda Maharaja has arranged. We have to make program that the Janmastami ceremony is held in New Vrndavana with great pomp—as much as the Rathayatra festival is to be performed in San Francisco. Similarly I propose to have great festival in Honolulu which is now New Navadvipa.
Letter to Makhanlal -- Los Angeles 3 June, 1970:
My will I have already disclosed to you all that each and every one of you should chant the Mahamantra regularly in sixteen rounds, follow the four regulative principles, chant Hare Krsna mantra on the streets, try to distribute our books and literature, and specifically in San Francisco you should observe the annual Ratha Yatra festival very gorgeously.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1970:
I hope your arrangements for Rathayatra festival are going on and Yamuna devi is taking nice care of the Deities. I can understand from the record album that your devotional feelings have improved. So keep this standard intact.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1970:
I have not heard from Mukunda for a long time. Please keep me informed at least once in a fortnight about the good progress of your temple. KRSNA book will be ready by Rathayatra festival. When you take the procession on the street, always keep our books and magazines ready for distribution.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1970:
In the meantime, while writing this letter, I have received your letter dated 1st June, 1970, and I am glad to know that the program for Rathayatra is well under way.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1970:
Regarding your second question, after being bathed, Lord Jagannatha catches fever and at that time you may carry Him along with Balaramaji and Subhadra to my room for recovering. During this time, up to Rathayatra, any repairs may be made. In Jagannatha Puri during this recuperation period the Deities are completely repainted. But that is especially in Jagannatha Puri that this is done so. Then Lord Jagannatha reappears on the day of Rathayatra festival. During His convalescence Bhoga is offered as usual, but no visitors are allowed to see the Lord.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
Of course you can say that I can make the tapes from Hawaii, but there is difficulty that my whole library of reference books is here and it is not possible to carry them all. Therefore I have curtailed my moving. I shall go to the Rathayatra festival for one to two days only.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
From other centers also they want me to go there. I have received letter from Australia to go there. So by the grace of Krsna now we have got 32 branches. From London also Syamasundara. desired that I shall go there during Rathayatra festival. So I have curtailed all these programs, and I am concentrating here.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
So even if I go there to Hawaii, I do not think that I shall be able to stay there more than a week, and for which you have to spend two men's double fare. I therefore request you and Gaurasundara to come to San Francisco during Rathayatra festival with sufficient mangos, and you will see the Rathayatra, and I have got some serious talks with Gaurasundara and yourself for organizing New Navadvipa.
Letter to Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
It is my desire that three places at the present moment namely San Francisco (New Puri), New Vrndavana and New Navadvipa should be especially organized for three great festivals; namely Janmastami, Rathayatra and Phalguni Purnima or Lord Caitanya's Birthday. On these occasions not only myself but all the devotees should assemble in these places and we shall meet together for the mutual advancement of our centers. So by all means you, husband and wife, come to San Francisco during Rathayatra festival.
Letter to Himavati, Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
No, it is not proper that the morning Aratik is performed with the Deities lying down. The Deities should be awakened with belling, then stand Them, then perform Aratik. After Aratik you bathe and change Their clothes. You should wake Them privately and also bathe Them privately. And if you want to go to Rathayatra in London, why not go.
Letter to Himavati, Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. Regarding the Rathayatra procession in London, the procession should be made like this:
Letter to Revatinandana -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1970:
Regarding your question whether you may go to Rathayatra festival, yes, you may go because in your present temple the Deities are not regularly installed. So you can close the temple for a few days keeping in front of the Deities some dried fruits and a tumbler of water.
Letter to Acyutananda -- Los Angeles 14 June, 1970:
You will be glad to know that your Godbrothers here in America and Europe are doing very nicely. Recently we have opened a branch in Copenhagen, Denmark, and just after Rathayatra festival there will be another two or three branches in England like Birmingham, Liverpool, etc.
Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 19 June, 1970:
I think we should have a central governing body for dealing with important matters. I have already talked with Gargamuni about this. So if you come back by the Rathayatra festival, we can have a preliminary meeting at San Francisco in this connection.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 19 June, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I have not heard from you since a long time, and I think you are now very busy on account of Rathayatra festival. I hope you are all well with your good wife, Malati, and daughter, Sarasvati. Your good daughter's photograph catching my hand is published in our Handbook of Krsna Consciousness which is to be printed very shortly containing the calendar and important information of our activities.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 19 June, 1970:
Brahmananda has gone to Japan to complete the KRSNA book. Everything is going alright. A few copies will be ready by the Rathayatra, and I have advised him to send you 25 copies to begin the sales from Rathayatra auspicious date.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 21 June, 1970:
I have heard that the Ratha is almost completed in London and it is expected that the Rathayatra Festival will be very, very magnificent. So as you have suggested, this will also be the best opportunity for the several programs to be established by mutual consultation amongst yourselves, yourself, Gurudasa, Syamasundara., Hamsaduta, Mukunda, etc.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:
I have received one letter from Tamala that there is invitation from Africa. I will be glad to know about this. I shall send 25 copies of KRSNA on or before the Rathayatra. I wish that the selling of this important book be begun on this auspicious day. I have not heard for a long time either from Syamasundara. or Mukunda, neither from their wives. But I am pleased that everything is going on nicely.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:
I have informed Hamsaduta that the five students in Hamburg who are now ready to receive Gayatri may do so when they visit your London temple during Rathayatra celebration. So I think you know all the procedures by now and you may give them the Gayatri as I have already prescribed by using the tape record of the mantras and performing the fire sacrifice.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:
You are going to London, so I shall send the sacred threads duly sanctified and the mantras may be heard in London. The arrangement is there and Gurudasa has already done it, so you can get them initiated as brahmanas get them initiated as brahmanas during Rathayatra days from 5th to 13rd of July.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970:
Your sentiments are very nice, so do not be worried, we will meet very soon. If World Sankirtana Party is organized our meeting will be in a very short time. In this connection I shall ask you to contact Ksirodakasayi. He is very eager in this respect. He will surely attend Ratha Yatra, so you can see him at that time.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 24 June, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 15th June, 1970, and noted the contents. So it is very good news that the atmosphere of London ISKCON is swelling in preparation of Rathayatra festival.
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 24 June, 1970:
Regarding your first question, while Lord Jagannatha is on His Ratha, and for the duration of the festivities for eight days following, bhuni kicrie may be offered along with other preparations. So for Rathayatra day feast should consist of bhuni kicrie which you make by first frying the dahl and rice in ghee. Also fry the vegetable with little ghee and massala.
Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 27 June, 1970:
Anyway, if you come during the Rathayatra festival in San Francisco it will be a great pleasure for me. Brahmananda is also coming. So we shall have to chalk out the future program of our activities. So your presence will be very much appreciated.
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17th May, 1970. I hope everything is going well with your family and the temple, and perhaps you are already in touch with the Rathayatra festival arrangement.
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1970:
Regarding our prospective Indian tour in February of 1971, we must now settle up the things during the Rathayatra festival because all important European devotees will collect together in London. The program is to go to India with forty heads, male and female. One local Indian chemist, Dr. Ravidra Pratap Rao, is here and most probably he is going to be our disciple.
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1970:
Since "Kalyana" magazine has published one article about us which perhaps you have seen also we have received many sympathetic letters, and there is possibility of opening at least one dozen centers in India at different places. I am forwarding a copy of this letter to Gurudasa, so during Rathayatra festival you must meet together and make a decision of this World Sankirtana Party.
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1970:
I am enclosing herewith two pictures of Rathayatra at S.F. this year.
Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 4 July, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil and I am very sorry to learn that you are injured in a motor accident. I have come to San Francisco on account of Rathayatra festival and shall be returning by next Tuesday.
Letter to Yamuna, Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1970:
I hope your Rathayatra preparation was completed and the procession very grand and gorgeous. Previously Syamasundara. wrote me to participate in the Rathayatra festival, but since then I have not heard anything from him. Where is he now? At George's place or in a different apartment? I have received a letter from Mukunda recently, but I have not received any letter from Syamasundara..
Letter to Sridama -- Los Angeles 8 July, 1970:
I am so happy to learn that you have been so well received in Provincetown by the young boys and girls. It is a fact that the hippies are our best clients. I had very good response in San Francisco during Rathayatra festival. I saw that they were taking up the chanting of Hare Krsna maha mantra very feelingly even without the presence of any devotee to lead them. They appreciated my lecture and I appreciated their attitude. They joined in Rathayatra very enthusiastically. So try your best to convince them by very nice preaching and in particular very nice Sankirtana party and distribution of our literatures.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 11 July, 1970:
Neither I have heard anything how you have performed Rathayatra in London.
Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 15 July, 1970:
Rathayatra festival was successfully performed in San Francisco, London and Tokyo also and you may write to Durlabha about the films.
Letter to Nevatiaji -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1970:
14. Rathayatra festival was celebrated in three major cities—San Francisco, London and Tokyo—with great pomp and grand success.
Letter to Nevatiaji -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1970:
The transcendental festivities organized for large public participation have drawn admirable comments from the city authorities regarding their unprecedented joyous nature shared by otherwise unmanageable numbers of people. The San Francisco Rathayatra was given all facility by the full cooperation of the City and public advertisement was extended by the City via the newspapers, radio and television and posters in all the public transportation vehicles as well as large banners lining the main streets.
Letter to Nevatiaji -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1970:
In the accompanying packet are enclosed some prints from this year's various Rathayatra festivals and also issue No. 20 "Back to Godhead" which was a special issue on last year's festivities.
Letter to Nevatiaji -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1970:
Other major celebrations are Janmastami and Lord Caitanya's Abhirbhava on Phalguni Purnima. These are especially celebrated gorgeously at New Vrndavana and New Navadvipa respectively. For its lavish Rathayatras yearly for the last four years San Francisco is now commonly known as New Jagannatha Puri. We are gradually increasing the size of major festivals and eventually there will be twenty-four or two each month. The public response is always very encouraging.
Letter to Uddhava -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1970:
Prabhupada (alone prefered.)
Exterior view of L.A. Temple
Deities and altars (very opulent)
Scenes of Rathayatra and other festivals
Cow protection in New Vrndavana
(pictures in Handbook of milking, and calf)
Some important members (alone or together)
Thank you very much. Hope this will meet you in good health.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 19 July, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I am so glad to receive your letter dated 10th July, 1970. Before that I received one postcard from you in Amsterdam. I was expecting your letter since a long time, but I could understand that you were very busy with Rathayatra festival, and I am very glad to learn that this time you made Lord Jagannatha's car as strong as a warship. I can see from the picture it is very sturdy and tall also.
Letter to Syamasundara -- Los Angeles 19 July, 1970:
You are expecting to see me, but I also expected to see the London Rathayatra, but you made no arrangement so what can I do? So let us meet by Sankirtana. I also do not feel separation from my Guru Maharaja.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 19 July, 1970:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 10th July, 1970. I have also received news from Syamasundara. that the Rathayatra was nicely performed. This is very encouraging.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 19 July, 1970:
We should concentrate our energy in constructive work. The constructive work is preaching. So this Rathayatra festival is one of the items of our preaching work, and therefore it was introduced in both San Francisco and London and the initiative was taken by Syamasundara..
Letter to Yamuna -- Los Angeles 26 July, 1970:
Yes, I have received the article from the Swedish newspaper. I could not read it, but it appears to be very nice. I have also received the two articles on the Rathayatra festival. Thank you very much.
1971 Correspondence
Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 18 March, 1971:
I have received some letters just now from Kesava in San Francisco, and I am sending him some instructions for celebrating Rathayatra. I hope by this time the new throne has been completed. I am very eager to see it installed. In the meantime we are sending big Deities, like in London.
Letter to Damodara -- Bombay, India 11 April, 1971:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 11th February, 1971 and have noted the contents. Yes, Washington D.C. is very good location for the site of East coast Rathayatra festival. So go ahead as planned and do it nicely.
Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 26 April, 1971:
Your idea for selling advertisements for Rathayatra issue of BTG is very good. This idea we have implemented both in Bombay and Calcutta and it has proven very good for collecting money. In Calcutta they are collecting at a rate of Rs 5000/- per day.
Letter to Rsabhadeva -- Bombay 7 June, 1971:
Presently I am in Bombay and very soon I shall be going to London and perhaps to Moscow. From there I shall be going to N.Y. and on to Los Angeles, perhaps for Rathayatra on June 27th, 1971. At that time, if she is qualified, then she may take over pujari duties there in Laguna Beach. That will be very nice.
Letter to Makhanlal -- Bombay 10 June, 1971:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22nd May, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am so glad to hear how things are going so nicely there in preparation for Rathayatra festival and I have read the enclosed brochure for the festival written by you. It is very nice.
Letter to Makhanlal -- Bombay 10 June, 1971:
So far as my going there by the 27th June, that may not be possible. Most probably I will have to attend London festival this year because three times I have attended Rathayatra festival in San Francisco and this time I have been very fervently requested to attend the London Rathayatra festival, where they are expecting 50,000 participants also. So it is not possible to attend both festivals.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Bombay 12 June, 1971:
Recently I am in Bombay and will be leaving for Moscow on the 20th instant. I shall remain there for five days and from there go Paris and London, where I will participate in the Rathayatra festival.
Letter to Sudama -- Bombay 12 June, 1971:
Presently I am in Bombay and on the 20th of this month I will go to Moscow for five days. From there I go to Paris and then London for Rathayatra festival. After the festival I will return to U.S.A.; N.Y. and then L.A.
Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 16 June, 1971:
My program is that on the 20th instant I will go to Moscow for five days and from there I will be going to Paris and London. I have inquired, but it doesn't seem that there are any direct flights available from Moscow to Los Angeles, so it may not be possible for me to reach San Francisco in time for Rathayatra festival. Still, if it is at all possible, I shall try my best. Otherwise I shall participate in the festival in London.
Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Bombay 17 June, 1971:
Presently I am in Bombay and on the 20th of this month I will be going to Moscow for five days. Thereafter I will be going to Paris and London. I was wanting to go to Rathayatra festival in San Francisco, but I don't think that is possible because there are no direct flights from Moscow to California.
Letter to Ksirodakasayi -- Bombay 17 June, 1971:
You will be glad to know that I will be in London to participate there in Rathayatra festival. On the 20th instant I am going to Moscow for five days and then on to Paris to visit their new temple. From there I will go directly to London, by the end of the month. So while you are there, please see to it that Rathayatra festival is nicely performed and sure to be a grand success.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Moscow 21 June, 1971:
We are trying to arrange, through the embassy some talks on our philosophy, and I will let you know what happens. On the 25th instant I will go to Paris, stay for one day, and fly directly to San Francisco for Rathayatra. Then I will go to London for their Rathayatra on 4th July. Shortly thereafter, I will return to N.Y.C. All mail can go to L.A.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Moscow 25 June, 1971:
Two boys are working with us; one Indian and one Russian. So there is good prospect for opening a center, although the atmosphere is not very good. The Embassy was no help. So our visit to Moscow was not so successful, but for the future, it is hopeful. Tomorrow I go to Paris for one day, then to S.F. Rathayatra and then I shall come back to London. So you can reply me this letter in London address.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 28 June, 1971:
From Paris I went directly to L.A., about 6000 miles at one stretch and I was on the plane for 12 hours, thereby getting a one day concession. From L.A. I went to San Francisco yesterday and the Rathayatra festival was very very gorgeously performed.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 28 June, 1971:
From Paris I went to L.A. directly, about 6000 miles at one stretch and I was on the plane for twelve hours, thereby getting a one day concession. From L.A. I went to Rathayatra festival in San Francisco yesterday and the festival was very gorgeously performed. There were three Rathas and Lord Jagannatha's Ratha was bigger than the other two.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1971:
From Paris I went directly to L.A., about 6,000 miles at one stretch and I was on the plane for 12 hours, therefore getting a one day concession. From L.A. I went to San Francisco yesterday and the Rathayatra festival was very very gorgeously performed.
Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 29 June, 1971:
Presently I am in L.A. where I just returned from the very successful festival, Rathayatra festival, in San Francisco. From here I will be going to London to participate in their Rathayatra festival on 4th July. Shortly thereafter I may be going to N.Y.
Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Los Angeles 4 July, 1971:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated 1st July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am so glad to hear how nicely you performed Rathayatra festival. Next year you can perform the regular ceremony with a cart, as we are doing in San Francisco and London.
Letter to Tribhuvanatha -- Los Angeles 4 July, 1971:
Please accept my blessings and offer the same to all the boys and girls there who have worked so hard to make Rathayatra festival in London, scheduled for today, a grand success. Please let me know how things have worked out, and how many people attended the function.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 13 July, 1971:
There is very little freedom there. Anyway, there is hope for opening a center in the future; we have made some friends there. From Moscow I came to Paris, L.A. and then attended the very successful Rathayatra festival. Now I am again in L.A. and will begin making my way back to Calcutta beginning in the 16th instant.
Letter to Tribhuvanatha -- Brooklyn 17 July, 1971:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 10th July, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. I am so glad to hear how successful our Rathayatra festival was, with nearly 10,000 people participating in the procession. And the police were very pleased with our cooperative spirit. Very good. I have received similar report from Nara Narayana Prabhu about the festival and I am so much appreciative to you all for your sincerely working to make this year's Rathayatra festival a grand success. Thank you very much.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 7 August, 1971:
Regarding your proposal of a Rathayatra festival as Bhaktivinode Thakura suggested, you may kindly send me a note telling in which book the above statement is there. I shall be very glad to see the article you have written in this connection and if it is ready please send it to me immediately.
Letter to Acyutananda -- London 14 August, 1971:
Do it nicely. I have seen the photos of the cottage you have proposed and it is very attractive. In the mean time I sent you one letter dated 7th August, 1971, about the article you wanted to write on Rathayatra according to the instructions of Bhaktivinode Thakura but I have received none. I hope you have already sent it.
1972 Correspondence
Letter to Visvanatha Babu -- Bombay 3 January, 1972:
I have five branches in India also; and in Bombay at present I am staying at my above temple. You will be glad to know that I am introducing Rathayatra and other important Vaisnava festivals in Europe and America and probably it is known to you that in San Francisco, California and in London we are having the festivals in grand scale for the last five years continually.
Letter to Nandarani -- Mayapur 27 February, 1972:
As you ask about Rathayatra Festival, I may inform you that this year it is held on Wednesday July 12th, but you may celebrate it on the following Sunday, July 16th. If I am able at that time, I shall most certainly be very glad to come. I think three times I have seen the San Francisco Rathayatra Festival, but I have not yet been favored to attend the London Festival, so I shall very much like to come there if you can arrange and if you like I shall come.
Letter to Bhavananda -- Auckland 14 April, 1972:
Your ideas for Rathayatra are nice, so do it like that. If you want any suggestions or points, I shall give you. I suggested to make a smaller ratha of wood finely-carved with silver plating if possible; if not, you can have a nice ratha in the normal way.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Tokyo 24 April, 1972:
If it is possible to make the London Rathayatra more gorgeous by your all going, than do it. Cooperate with Dayananda. Last year in San Francisco, there were three chariots, and it was very successful, so you can do the same there. I may come also, if Lord Jagannatha attracts me.
Letter to Giriraja -- Tokyo 2 May, 1972:
Practically no one has more energy than Visvakarma. So let him do gardening work and if Bhavananda needs his help to build Rathayatra car he can go to Calcutta for some time to work there. I have not got any plans from Saurabha, though I requested him many times, only I have got two sketches from the architects in Cyavana's letters Saurabha was going to sketch the interior of Govindaji's temple and make plans for Vrindaban also, but he has not sent, so I do not think he is yet very reliable.
Letter to Karandhara -- Tokyo 4 May, 1972:
I have no objection if Kesava tours the USA and gives instruction how to sell books, then when he is finished USA he can go to London. But one thing is, there is vast possibility for selling our books in England, I think more than in your country, and they have got program for buying a big, big church in London, so I want they should sell many books by buying cost-price from you and in this way pay for that church. I shall see when I go there for Rathayatra this summer.
Letter to Rsabhadeva -- Honolulu 5 May, 1972:
Thank you very much for your invitation to the Rathayatra Festival. Perhaps I can come, but I may go to London this year as I have not yet seen it there, and I have promised since one year. In India, we had many pandal programs and they were very successful, so you try to have one there also.
Letter to Bhavananda -- Honolulu 9 May, 1972:
We were riding on the same perambulator when we were very small children. We were so intimate that he would not go in perambulator without me. We would not separate even a moment. But he is now dead and gone. Now ask Gabu to help us to hold the Rathayatra Festival for eight days at Radha-Govinda Temple and have one continuous kirtana and distribution of prasadam at the Chadni Hall.
Letter to Aksoja -- Los Angeles 19 May, 1972:
I have very much appreciated the enclosed photos of the Amsterdam activities. I am surely thinking to come to London for this year Rathayatra festival and if you like perhaps I can come to Amsterdam also if there is sufficient engagement there.
Letter to Bibhu -- Los Angeles 21 May, 1972:
I have considered coming to New Vrndavana and Pittsburgh for Janmastami and I think that I shall be able to come after all. I am going to London for Rathayatra this year but I think I can fly from London to Pittsburgh without any difficulty.
Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 22 May, 1972:
I shall be coming to London for Rathayatra Festival this year. So I hope that I will see both you and your good husband as well as all the nice boys and girls in the European temples there in London at that time.
Letter to Vasudeva -- Los Angeles May 31, 1972:
Yes, if you can get a new and larger place that will be very nice. Also, I am coming to London this summer for Ratha-yatra Festival and if all of the European devotees come there I shall be very glad to see you all again. Yes, you may name your new son Caitanya dasa.
Letter to Sivananda -- Los Angeles 12 June, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated 1st June, 1972, and upon your recommendation I am glad to accept Peter Brinkmann as my duly initiated disciple. His letter follows. Yes, I shall be glad to meet with you in London during Rathayatra in a few weeks, and at that time I shall be very glad to give you the Sannyas order of life, so you may prepare for that.
Letter to Sriman Joshi -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1972:
So I shall be very pleased to meet you personally here in Los Angeles at my apartment, as I shall not be gong to San Francisco in the near future because I am attending the Rathayatra Festival in London this year instead. So if you are free to meet me here in Los Angeles, I shall be very pleased to see you at that time.
Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 15 June, 1972:
I don't know who has given you this idea of shaving your head and wearing white garments. In India only the widows are allowed to shave head. I have never suggested your husband to take to Sannyas, but we can discuss this matter further when we shall meet again in London for Rathayatra.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972:
I am very pleased to hear that you are utilizing your good experience for introducing the Ratha Yatra Festival in Australia, I shall be very pleased to see the photos how it is going.
Letter to Tribhuvanatha -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972:
Now I am coming to London very soon for your Rathayatra Celebration, and I shall be very happy to see you all, my beloved disciples there in England.
Letter to Bob -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972:
Meanwhile, I shall be stopping in New York for two or three days on my way to London for the Rathayatra Festival there.
Letter to Gunagrahi -- New York 3 July, 1972:
Especially I am very much pleased to hear that the University of Buffalo has given to you more than $1200.00 in grant. I can understand by your enthusiastic preparations for Rathayatra in Buffalo that you are very sincere boy and capable devotee.
Letter to Gunagrahi -- New York 3 July, 1972:
I shall be in London this year for the Rathayatra festival and after that I am going to Paris for the twenty-first, twenty-second and twenty-third of July, and as I have already confirmed these engagements long ago, I regret I shall not be able to physically attend your Rathayatra at Buffalo, but my presence is always with the devotees who are serving so nicely.
Letter to Nandarani -- New York 8 July, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I have seen this special Rathayatra issue of "Back to Godhead" written by you, and I am so much pleased that so intelligently you have assorted the matter to completely understand our philosophy in a nutshell.
Letter to Shyamsundar Mallik -- London 13 July, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your kind letter dated 7/7/72 in Bengali, and you will excuse I am writing in English because I am in London. I hope you are making the Ratha-yatra Festival very successful, along with my disciples headed by Bhavananda and Acyutananda Swami.
Letter to Shyamsundar Mallik -- London 13 July, 1972:
I am presently engaged here in London for celebrating the Ratha-yatra Festival also. A huge festival will begin at Marble Arch and proceed to Trafalgar Square, where I shall speak to at least 10,000 persons. Similarly, my disciples are holding Ratha-yatra festival at San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Tokyo, Melbourne (Australia), Calcutta, and other places.
Letter to Puri Maharaj -- London 13 July, 1972:
Now we are in London for holding our 4th annual Rathayatra Festival of Lord Jagannath. The procession will begin from Marble Arch and finish in Trafalgar Square, where I shall be speaking to more than 10,000 persons and holding fire yagna. Simultaneously, my disciples will be holding similar Jagannath Rathayatra Festivals in San Francisco, Tokyo, Philadelphia, Melbourne (Australia), and in Calcutta.
Letter to Palika -- ISKCON London 14 July, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 4, 1972, and I am very much pleased to hear that all the preparation for Rathayatra Festival are very nice. Regarding the Jagannatha deities, They can be placed on the altar, that is sufficient.
Letter to Bhavananda -- London 14 July, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated July 5 and July 8, 1972, and I have noted the contents carefully. So far the speakers for Rathayatra are concerned, that is all right, but it is also a good idea to offset their nonsense by our own speakers. Yes, we should stand in our position and defy all nonsense propositions. Our math in Mayapur is not for Bengalis, the math is for you foreigners, to give you facility for offering respects to Lord Caitanya.
Letter to Bhavananda -- London 14 July, 1972:
I have written one letter to Syamasundara. Mallik, and I am glad that the preparations are going on nicely for the Rathayatra Festival in Calcutta.
Letter to Karandhara -- London 19 July, 1972:
As for Dayananda, I am enclosing the letter to him, so you may kindly forward to him. We have celebrated a very, very nice Rathayatra festival here in London, and in the Trafalgar Square itself I initiated nearly 30 new devotees with fire yajna before 25,000 persons, mostly Englishmen. All in all, it was the best Rathayatra we have seen to date. I have not heard anything from you about Rathayatra in San Francisco.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Amsterdam 29 July, 1972:
I am very glad to hear that there has been a very nice Rathayatra Festival in Melbourne, and that despite all obstacles many people joined and it was very successful. Similarly, in London we have already celebrated a very successful Rathayatra procession, and many thousands of persons joined in marching from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square, and in Trafalgar Square I initiated nearly 30 new disciples and we had fire yajna and many, many thousands of persons observed it, mostly Englishmen.
Letter to Bhavananda -- London 1 August, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 24, 1972 and I have noted the contents carefully. I am so much pleased that your Rathayatra procession was so nicely received by the citizens of Calcutta. This news has engladdened me beyond words. Now take advantage for raising funds for Mayapur. Therefore I wanted this Rathayatra festival. I am enclosing some photos of our Rathayatra procession in other places and you can distribute these photos to the newspapers in Calcutta. In one day we have captured the citizens of Calcutta, and I am so much pleased.
Letter to Karandhara -- London 1 August, 1972:
I have just received the newscuttings from Calcutta, and the Rathayatra festival there was simply spectacular. In one day, we have captured the full attention of the Calcutta people and they are very much favorable.
Letter to Tulasi -- London 1 August, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 18, 1972 and I have noted the contents. I have received reports from all over the world; from Calcutta, San Francisco, Tokyo, Melbourne, Pittsburgh, and here in London also, that Rathayatra festival was a very great success, and this has very much engladdened me.
Letter to Madhumangala -- Hyderabad 18 November, 1972:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated, and I have noted the contents with care. So far your question is concerned, should the Jagannatha deity be bathed with water, that is not necessary. They should be washed once in a year, that is sufficient, 15 days before Rathayatra. That is called "sananyatra" ceremony. Otherwise if you bathe, that will damage the wood.
1973 Correspondence
Letter to Jadurani -- Bombay 4 January, 1973:
So far your questions about Lord Jagannatha and Ratha-yatra Festival, the first Ratha-yatra Festival was 5,000 years before, when Krsna and Balarama and Subhadra came from Dvaraka to Kuruksetra. So far the festival at Puri, there is no such history, but it must be more than 3,000 years. At least there is recorded history 2,000 years old, because we see in the Aquarian Gospel that Lord Jesus Christ was attending the Ratha-yatra Festival at Puri.
Letter to Nityananda -- Sydney 18 February, 1973:
Regarding your proposal for having Ratha Yatra in New Orleans I request that you consult with the GBC in your zone, Satsvarupa das Goswami and ask him to discuss this matter with the other GBC men there in America. But one thing is very important. If you decide to do it, then you must do it very opulently, as they are doing in San Francisco.
Letter to Revatinandana -- Mayapur 5 June, 1973:
Regarding my coming to London for Rathayatra on July 8th, if my health is by that time permitting, then I surely will come there to London.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Mayapur 12 June, 1973:
So, everything is going on so nicely there. So many books are being distributed. There are good prospects for a new temple. You are going to introduce three rathas this year for Rathayatra. This is all very pleasing and inspiring to me. I would very much like to come there for Rathayatra, but now I am not in very good health, and it is the opinion of Tamal Krsna Maharaja, Bhavananda Maharaja, Jayapataka Maharaja and Jagadisa that it is best for me if I stay here for now so that I may get my health back.
Letter to Gunagrahi -- Mayapur 20 June, 1973:
Everything appears to be going very nicely there under your management. You are facilitating sankirtana and book distribution by travelling and going to colleges in a trailer, and you are preparing for a large Ratha-yatra festival. This is all pleasing and inspiring to me.
Letter to Jaya Hari -- Calcutta 28 June, 1973:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 25 June along with the wonderful literature, "Rathayatra '73, London Summer Festival." The collage of the pictures and the articles in the magazine have been wonderfully set up and I very much appreciate it.
Letter to Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 10 July, 1973:
You will be glad to know the Rathayatra in London was very successful. The Daily Guardian had a picture on the front page of our cart and stated that we were competition to the monument in memory of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square.
Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 20 July, 1973:
It is calm and quiet here and people are coming to talk with me in the evenings. George came to meet with me and he is very enthusiastic to cooperate. Rathayatra was very successful here, as 10,000 people attended and prasadam was distributed. See enclosed newspaper.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 28 July, 1973:
Now my health has improved and attended a grand Rathayatra festival here - find clippings enclosed. The overall effect of our festival here was appreciated by everyone, more than 10,000 persons took part and received Prasadam.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- U.K. 7 August, 1973:
Your festival appears to be just like Jagannatha Puri, it is so encouraging to me to see how very enthusiastic you are working there. Yes! I shall certainly come to your Ratha Yatra Festival next year.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- U.K. 7 August, 1973:
Regarding selling books in Karmic clothes; yes, it may be done, there is no harm. This book distribution and Ratha Yatra Festivals should go on all over the world. I want to introduce this Ratha Yatra Festival programme all over the world.
Letter to Bhutatma -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 7 August, 1973:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter and enclosed photographs of the Ratha Yatra Festival. If we introduce this Festival in all big cities of the world along side with book distribution then in no time we will conquer the whole world. Yes! certainly I shall come to your festival next year, thank you.
Letter to Gunagrahi -- Bombay 14 October, 1973:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 29, 1973 and have noted the contents. I thank you for your very nice report. I am glad that you held very nice Rathayatra in Buffalo and have donated one calf to New Vrindaban.
Letter to Bhakta dasa -- New Delhi October 11, 1973:
I thank you very much for installing Radha-Giridhari. From my childhood I was very much fond of Radha-Krsna, and now my good disciples are helping me to open so many Radha-Krsna temples all over the world. It gives me so much pleasure. Now introduce Ratha Yatra. That was my childhood activity. I want to see my disciples all over the world introduce two items, opening Radha-Krsna temples and Ratha-yatra festivals. Do this under the protection of Guru-Gauranga.
1974 Correspondence
Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Honolulu 26 January, 1974:
Regarding Rathayatra, I think there is no need for you to have a separate festival since you are so near San Francisco. But you may hold other festivals in San Diego, as you describe in your letter. That will be very pleasing for everyone.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 6 April, 1974:
o since I will not have to return to India until August, after Europe I can go to Australia for your Rathayatra if you can purchase our tickets. You can reply to me here in Bombay until the second week of May, when we shall go to Paris.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 11 April, 1974:
I have written you earlier that my plans are to travel to Paris by mid May and then spending 4 or 5 days in each place, I will visit Geneva, Rome, and three or four cities in Germany. Then I will be prepared to go to Australia for Rathayatra. So let me hear from you in this regard.
Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bombay 13 April, 1974:
As for my own activities as you have requested, my schedule is: leave for Hyderabad April 18; after one week in Hyderabad I will travel one week in southern India; by middle of May I will leave India for Paris, and will travel 4 or 5 days in each place to Geneva, Rome, Sweden, then 3 or 4 cities in Germany. Then I may go to Rathayatra in Australia and back to India by Janmastami. After that I will go to England and then the U.S.
Letter to Mukunda -- Bombay 2 May, 1974:
Suggest early May for English fragrant Springtime' June like flavored gold, July for the most spectacular Rathayatra ever, celebrated August meet her majesty etc., hundreds of the world's best British men anxiously awaiting to accommodate and serve you in unrivalled fashion with opulence respect public acclaim befitting Visvacarya.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 4 May, 1974:
I heard you were still in Los Angeles. When will you be returning to Australia? Jaya tirtha has written inviting me to the Rathayatra in San Francisco on July 7. I will be in Europe until the end of June and I may go to the Ratha yatra in San Francisco on July 7. Jaya tirtha said the festival is so timed that I can also go to the Australia Rathayatra also. What is the date of your Rathayatra? I have written you several times on this point, whether you want me to attend Rathayatra in Australia. If you like I can leave San Francisco and fly to Australia via Hawaii. So let me hear from you on the above mentioned points.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 5 May, 1974:
Regarding your invitation that I attend the Rathayatra festival in San Francisco, on July 7th, it is possible that I may attend depending on when I finish my European tour. I am due to arrive in Rome on May 23, then after a week Geneva, the Paris and possible Stockholm, Germany and England.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Bombay 5 May, 1974:
If there is time I can fly directly from Europe to Los Angeles and go to the festival, then as you suggest, go to Australia Rathayatra via Hawaii. This is known as jet-age parivrajakacarya. For the present I will be staying in Bombay for about two weeks, then to Delhi and Vrindaban before leaving for Rome.
Letter to Govinda -- Bombay 8 May, 1974:
It is very wonderful news that you have permission to hold Rathayatra downtown on the main street on Saturday, July 6 and tens of thousands of people will view the cart. I have been invited to attend the Rathayatra in San Francisco which is July 8. So I am hoping also I will stop in Chicago on my way to San Francisco and observe the festival with you.
Letter to Sudama -- Bombay 8 May, 1974:
Please keep consulting with Bali Mardan on financial matters. It is possible that I may stop at Honolulu sometime in July on my way to Rathayatra Festival, Australia. I will keep you informed. Acknowledge receipt.
Letter to Caru -- Bombay 9 May, 1974:
I am glad to hear, although there were many difficulties, that Madhudvisa Maharaja will be able to return to Australia with permanent residence status. Please have him write me as soon as he returns. I do not have the exact date of your Rathayatra in June, although I think it is June 21. As for going there my present itinerary is that I am going to Rome on May 23 for a week, then a week in Geneva and then a week in Paris.
Letter to Caru -- Bombay 9 May, 1974:
So I may not be in London when it is time to go to Australia. You have written that you are arranging tickets for London-Sydney-Delhi. It is a little difficult to make exact arrangements at this time. But I plan to leave for Australia from Europe. Then from Australia I plan to go to San Francisco via Honolulu, in order to attend the July 8 Rathayatra in San Francisco.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 12 May, 1974:
Please accept my blessings. I understand that you are preparing for my arrival for your Rathayatra. I am not sure of your Rathayatra date but I think it is at the end of June. However at this time I will be in Europe. I am to arrive in Rome on the 23rd, then on the 30th to Geneva, then June 6 to Paris. On June 15 I go to Koln where Hamsaduta has arranged a lecture tour continuing in Heidelberg and Amsterdam through July 6. So it will not be possible for me to attend Rathayatra if you have scheduled it for June. I am immediately going to the US after Europe to attend Rathayatra in Chicago on July 6 and then Rathayatra in San Francisco on July 8.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 12 May, 1974:
From there I will come to Australia toward the middle or end of July. If it is possible for you to reschedule your Rathayatra for the end of July then I will attend. But I will come to Australia at that time anyway. I do not know if you will be able to reschedule your Rathayatra. So if you wish to communicate with me I will be in the European cities as dated above.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 15 May, 1974:
Thereafter, on your invitation I will go to Amsterdam on the 15th of June and on the 22nd go to Koln, and then Heidelberg and Sweden. My plan is to attend the Rathayatra ceremony in Chicago in the U.S. on the 6th of July and then the Ratha Yatra in San Francisco on July 8th. So I will have to leave Europe by the 5th July or 6th July.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 17 May, 1974:
My party consists of three; myself, Neil Delmonico (Nitai) and Stephen Guarino (Satsvarupa Maharaja), (Pradyumna has left us for sometime). I will expect your tickets when we arrive in Paris and I will be very pleased to attend the gorgeous Melbourne Ratha-yatra festival.
Letter to Sudama -- Rome 26 May, 1974:
In my upcoming touring programs I am going to attend Rathayatra in Australia from June 26 until about July 2, then I am going to the U.S. for Rathayatra. So it may be that I will break my journey in Hawaii and see you then. I shall inform you further. Please keep me informed of all developments with the land and devotees there. I will be in Paris from June 6, to June 15.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Rome 28 May, 1974:
Please accept my blessings. I have heard that you are very keen to make the Melbourne Rathayatra very wonderful and you have requested extra instructions. One thing is there are many band parties—if you can get band parties to join that would be nice. Our men should hold kirtana just in front of the ratha, and other parties may proceed before us.
Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Geneva 4 June, 1974:
I am certainly making all plans to attend Rathayatra in San Francisco on July 7th and 8th. I will be going to Australia for their Rathayatra on June 29th and after that Jayatirtha is arranging my tickets for coming to U.S. I would like to attend the Rathayatra in Chicago on July 6th and, come to San Francisco on the evening of the sixth, so you may prepare to receive me then.
Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Paris 9 June, 1974:
I am glad to hear you are holding a larger Ratha yatra this year. Your multifarious activities in Krsna Consciousness in Philadelphia sound very good.
Letter to Ravindra Svarupa -- Paris 10 June, 1974:
From my very childhood I was also worshiping Lord Jagannatha. When I was six years old my father gave me a ratha and I was performing the Ratha yatra in my neighborhood.
Letter to Jagadisa -- Melbourne 25 June, 1974:
So I shall expect to see you in Chicago on July 5 for the Rathayatra and we can discuss more.
Letter to Cyavana -- Melbourne 3 July, 1974:
You want to see me and I also have some important things to discuss with you, so the best thing is if we meet at the end of July in Vrindaban, India. Today I am leaving for the United States to attend Rathayatra in Chicago and San Francisco but at the end of July I will reach Vrindaban. We are having a very big festival there on Janmastami when we will open our Krsna Balarama temple by installing the deities.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- San Francisco 9 July, 1974:
Please accept my blessings. After leaving your place I went to Chicago and then San Francisco and in both the places the Rathayatra ceremony was very successfully performed.
Letter to Sridhara Maharaja -- Los Angeles 7 July, 1974:
From there I shall go to West Virginia to our center New Vrindaban. From there I shall go to London. In London our Ratha yatra festival has been held up, and I think behind this obstruction there is some communal feeling.
Letter to Sudama Vipra -- Los Angeles 16 July, 1974:
While I was in Melbourne Tusta Krsna along with other friends met me there and took part in the Ratha yatra festival. He was so kind to pay me $700 for Mayapur-Vrindaban scheme. Similarly Siddha Svarupa Maharaja met me in San Francisco. He took part in the Ratha yatra festival and paid me $501 for Mayapur-Vrindaban scheme. So let us cojointly work for the satisfaction of Krishna.
Letter to Atreya Rsi -- Vrindaban 19 August, 1974:
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 28th 1974. I am glad to note that you had nice Rathayatra festival for the Indian community there. I am especially pleased to note that for Vyasa Puja and Janmastami you have so many Iranian devotees there. This is your real success if you can convince the local men to become Krishna Conscious.
Letter to Miss Johnson -- Vrindaban 19 August, 1974:
Thank you for your letter dated July 15th 1974. Regarding the lecture that I gave at the Rathayatra festival, I think if you contact our San Francisco temple, they might be able to provide you with a transcript. If you speak with the president there Bhakta dasa, he may be able to suggest ways that you can use your public relations in the service of Krishna.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Vrindaban 7 September, 1974:
Try to revive the Ratha Yatra next year in London. Agree to follow all their instructions, but the ratha must move in procession as it was done previously. People enjoyed it, both European and Indian. Everyone enjoyed. Why there should be this restriction for public enjoyment? This is injustice both the Indian and European people.
Letter to Sri Govinda -- Mayapur 29 September, 1974:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated September 5 & 9, 1974 with enclosed clippings of my visit to Chicago Ratha Yatra. The clippings are especially nice, and I am requesting that they be displayed here at Mayapur for our Gaura purnima festival. I very much liked your Chicago festival, and I encourage you to increase it next year. This ratha yatra festival is very dear to me from my very childhood days, so I very much appreciate your holding this festival in Chicago. If you have longer route and two or three cars it will be very good.
Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Bombay 24 November, 1974:
Regarding the Ratha Yatra Festival, keep it always gorgeously alive, but do not change the principle. The principle should go on as usual. Yes, it is all right to make something in the park as you have suggested. Why you want to change the wheels? This is unnecessary.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 2 December, 1974:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 5, 1974 with enclosed plans of the newly purchased house. It all appears very wonderful. It is very good that the Deity is facing East. Yes, the room above the Deity should be kept vacant. Yes, you can store Ratha Yatra festival gear or books there, also. The proposed pinnacle should not have Om, but shastic or cakra, Krsna's weapon.
Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 28 December, 1974:
Increase the Rathayatra festival in Chicago. Make it twice as big, that will be very nice. This festival must be introduced wherever possible. It is so nice.
Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 28 December, 1974:
In connection with your using your efforts to make television shows, no, that is not important now. Don't waste time in this way. Better to have nice festivals like Rathayatra festivals. If they see us on television show then the next moment they will forget. But if they come to a festival and participate that is eternal benefit.
1975 Correspondence
Letter to Bhagavan -- Tokyo 27 January, 1975:
The main business in Germany is to reply the charges and rescue the frozen money. In England, we have to revive the Rathayatra festival which is now stopped by the police intrigue. In Paris, you require a larger place to accommodate devotees, so find out a suitable place.
Letter to Sri Govinda -- Honolulu 6 February, 1975:
Yes, I want to come there again this year for the Rathayatra festival and presently you can arrange that interview with Hugh Hefner, if it is possible to have it during that time.
Letter to Sri Govinda -- Honolulu 6 February, 1975:
I have accepted the devotees that you have recommended for 1st initiation and their names are as follows: Randall—Rathayatra dasa, Joseph—Jayakrsna dasa, Rodney—Ramakeli dasa, Ron—Ramananda dasa, Susan—Suprabha devi dasi, Deby—Danasila devi dasi. Their beads can be chanted by Kirtanananda Svami.
Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Bahulasva -- Tehran 14 March, 1975:
It is very good news. It appears that this scientist has become very intelligent. Yes, try to meet with them somehow and make arrangement for them to meet with me when I come for the San Francisco Rathayatra. That will be very nice. Such persons should be given the chance to study our books very carefully. In this way they will actually understand what is science.
Letter to Alfred Ford -- Mayapur 5 April, 1975:
This time, I will stay there for some time, most probably until the beginning of July, when I will be going to the American mainland for our annual Rathayatra festival in San Francisco. If it is convenient for you, I would like to have you come and stay with me while I am there in Hawaii. I will arrange a nice room for you and any other facilities you may require. I am hoping that you will consider this carefully to my Bombay address.
Letter to Bhakta dasa -- Perth, Australia 7 May, 1975:
This is very encouraging. Continue to preach vigorously, following all of the rules and regulations very carefully and Krishna will give you every facility. It sounds like the Rathayatra festival will be bigger than ever this year. I am hoping to come there again.
Letter to Sri Govinda -- Honolulu 8 June, 1975:
One year ago, I already accepted the invitation of Philadelphia temple for their Rathayatra and they are holding it on the same date as you. So, I may not be able to come there for the festival, but I can come there for a few days stay on my way from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, probably about the 8th or 9th of July, and I shall have to leave Chicago on the 11th of July in order to attend the Philadelphia Rathayatra. If this is alright with you, then we can do it like that. If you like, you can set up those appointments and meetings during that time. That will be nice. I will be seeing you all at that time.
Letter to Kirtanananda -- Honolulu 9 June, 1975:
Now, you have plenty of money, milk, fruits, flowers, grains, everything, and you are living in the jungle. What more could you want? I may be coming there immediately after the Philadelphia Rathayatra, and I shall stay until after Janmastami.
Letter to Jagannatha-suta -- Honolulu 12 June, 1975:
It is very nice issue. Having the Indian Rathayatra on the cover and the American one on the inside makes a good contrast.
Letter to Damodara Pandita -- Honolulu 14 June, 1975:
ou can thank Kirtanananda Swami for me since he has given the donation. I will be seeing you all there in New Vrndavana after I visit the Rathayatra festivals and some other temples here in America.
Letter to Dinanatha -- Honolulu 14 June, 1975:
I am not returning to India by Rathayatra festival because there are programs here in America and Europe—Rathayatra festival in five different places like, London, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Melbourne. So, I am introducing this Rathayatra festival in the Western countries and the idea is received everywhere very very enthusiastically.
Letter to Dinanatha -- Honolulu 14 June, 1975:
I am enclosing herewith one Back to Godhead magazine specifically dedicated to describing the Rathayatra activities.
Letter to Bhakta dasa, Jayananda, Bahulasva -- Honolulu 17 June, 1975:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated June 13rd and 15th, 1975 and have noted the contents. It sounds like things are going very nicely there. I will come for Rathayatra festival and then I shall see the new building also.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Honolulu 17 June, 1975:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 11, 1975 and have noted the contents. Regarding Ratha-yatra, we shall chose the most favorable time to hold our celebration. If for our preaching, it is going to be more beneficial to hold it in September, then you may do so.
Letter to Bon Maharaja -- Evanston, Illinois 7 July, 1975:
Here we shall observe the Ratha Yatra festival on the twelfth of July and grand arrangement is being prepared with the cooperation of the local authorities. The Ratha will be taken downtown to Chicago as usual.
Letter to Bon Maharaja -- Evanston, Illinois 7 July, 1975:
So after making all these arrangements I shall have to go to go to Philadelphia where I shall attend the Ratha Yatra ceremony, and then I shall go to San Francisco where as usual our Ratha Yatra will take place for the seventh year.
Letter to Bon Maharaja -- Los Angeles 24 July, 1975:
Our Philadelphia Ratha Yatra was very attractive and successful; similarly the San Francisco Rathayatra was also. Some of the Indian saints Shushil Muni Maharaja and Yogi Bhajan and many others attended the ceremony. They also appreciated our activities.
Letter to Niranjana -- Los Angeles 26 July, 1975:
I thank you for your report of the Rathayatra. Please ask Hamsaduta to send me a complete report of the Rathayatra festival in London. Yes, go ahead with your translation work. This is very important and work together with Yasomatinandana. We want very much to publish Hindi publications and distribute throughout India.
Letter to Hamsaduta -- Dallas 29 July, 1975:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 21, 1975 and have read the contents carefully. I am very glad that you had a nice Ratha Yatra there, and that even more people attended this year. It doesn't matter that the ratha was smaller.
Letter to Mr. Gordon T. Gattone -- Dallas 30 July, 1975:
I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 20, 1975 and have noted the contents. Your feeling on seeing the Ratha Yatra in Philadelphia, which you say cannot be expressed in words but which has since given you great peace in your life—is not astounding. In the authoritative transcendental literature which we have published as The Nectar of Devotion, it is stated that one can be liberated from all material suffering simply by seeing the Ratha Yatra cart passing.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Detroit 4 August, 1975:
Regarding your Ratha Yatra and my visit, nothing should be done according to my schedule. I am an old man. My visits should remain independent. As far as possible I am travelling, but nowadays I am feeling a little inconvenience.
Letter to Dr. Y. G. Naik -- Toronto 7 August, 1975:
We have already organized the Ratha Yatra ceremony, and we hold a great Love Feast festival every Sunday in everyone of our branches. Now I advised to organize more festivals during Janmastami, Lord Ramacandra's Appearance Day, and Gaura Purnima, the Appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Letter to Nityananda -- New Delhi 21 August, 1975:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 5, 1975 and have noted the contents. The news clipping was nice. Regarding your festival of Ratha Yatra, you have got my blessings. Either with or without my presence, you will be successful, so do not worry.
Letter to Giriraja -- Vrindaban 26 August, 1975:
I am enclosing a copy of the latest "Back to Godhead", and I am requesting that in your Janmastami Festival meeting you read the article under "ISKCON NEWS" about the Ratha Yatra Festival. The point is that in the foreign countries they are accepting this a bona fide religion and making holidays and our Ratha Yatra is regularly established. But, in our own country they are giving so many hindrances. Anyway, after all we have got the permission.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 4 November, 1975:
Now I am getting old, so if you can do things without me, that will be a great pleasure for me. You are an experienced devotee and know how to manage things, and you have good men there to help you so I am sure that you can carry on things nicely. Still if I get the chance, I will come for the Ratha Yatra festival.
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Bombay 10 November, 1975:
Regarding Rathayatra, yes, if possible I will go and I shall let you know timely.
1976 Correspondence
Letter to Rupanuga -- Mayapur 21 February, 1976:
It is nice they are maintaining and increasing the Rathayatra program in Philadelphia. Last year's program was very nice. That is good they have sold the jewelry business; we have got so nice book business, why shall we have this? You say Atlanta has pledged $33,000, that is nice, whose business can give us profit like that?
Letter to Madhudvisa -- Melbourne 21 April, 1976:
Rathayatra, that will be your achievement. Nobody has done it before. Rathayatra in New York should have been introduced long ago but there was no competent men to do it. So Krishna has sent you there and most likely I shall attend the New York Rathayatra. New York is the place where I first landed and now we have our own place and books, so if you do it very nicely it will be a great triumph.
Letter to Giriraja -- Auckland 27 April, 1976:
After that we are planning to visit Detroit, New York Rathayatra tentatively scheduled in late June, then New Vrindaban. Before returning to India, we shall stopover in Europe for about 2 weeks, and possibly Tehran.
Letter to Adi-kesava -- Honolulu 3 May, 1976:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 21, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Your plan to have the Rathayatra on July 18th, down 5th Avenue, is approved by me and I shall try to be there definitely. However make the carts very strong, not that while the procession is going on, the wheel breaks on the cart.
Letter to Ajita -- Honolulu 11 May, 1976:
If you carry out your plan to hold Rathayatra, be certain that the Ratha-cart is very strongly made, so that it does not break during the procession. They had a very good cart made in Philadelphia and you can take hints from the devotees there how they designed their cart.
Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 4 June, 1976:
The article from the French-Soir I have given to Ramesvara Maharaja for possible use in connection with Back to Godhead magazine. Try to introduce Rathayatra and Janmastami, at least 4-5 ceremonies and festivals annually. I recall how in the London newspaper, The Guardian, that when our Rathayatra ceremony was taking place in Trafalgar Square, they commented that Rathayatra was rivalling to Nelson, as there is a statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. So in this way they thought that if Rathayatra goes on, Nelson will be killed.
Letter to Riddha -- Detroit 15 June, 1976:
In that newspaper, The Leader, it is very good indication of our acceptance by the South African community. They are clearly rejecting all these bogus rascals like Sai Baba and in the same issue they are glorifying our Rathayatra festival. So this is good sign that they welcome Jagannatha and so you can arrange to have Jagannatha Deities and Rathayatra festival in Durban. Just like when I first began our Rathayatra in San Francisco, all we had was a flatbed truck for the Ratha-cart.
Letter to Riddha -- Detroit 15 June, 1976:
Concerning the Rathayatra festival, you can hold it in the warm months, just like in Melbourne, the festival is held in January. Pusta Krsna Swami is going to arrange to have Jagannatha Deities sent from Puri if there is no one expert enough to make Jagannatha Deities in South Africa.
Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Toronto 18 June, 1976:
Just like in our Vrindaban temple, you can have 3 Deity compartments. Facing the altar, Nrsimhadeva can be on the left, Guru-Gauranga in the center, and Jagannatha-Subhadra-Balarama on the right so that you can organize Rathayatra. You can begin the construction with cornerstone.
Letter to Satsvarupa Goswami -- New Vrndavana 30 June, 1976:
Why was Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Krsna Deities put on the Ratha cart in Chicago? Who has sanctioned this? This is not authorized. It does not mean that we shall make Rathayatra a conglomeration. Everything should be done by proper sanction.
Letter to Ramakrishnaji -- Washington D.C 5 July, 1976:
I shall be returning to Bombay on or about August 14, 1976, after which time I shall be able to attend the Coordinating Committee. meeting when the date is fixed up. After visiting our Washington, D.C. centre I shall be going on to New York where we are scheduled to have our Rathayatra procession down 5th. Avenue on July 18th, then London, Paris, Rome, Tehran (Iran) where we have our centers, and reaching Bombay thereafter.
Letter to Yasomatinandana -- New York 11 July, 1976:
The distribution results from the Rathayatra are very nice. There is no question of profit. Distribution is the first consideration.
Letter to Anangamanjari -- New York 19 July, 1976:
You are a very sincere devotee, that I know, and there are many nice girls here like Silavati who you can associate with. We have just had our Rathayatra here down Fifth Avenue and it was a grand success. It is a very nice field for expanding Krishna Consciousness and you will be very happy here I know.
Letter to Ramakrishnaji -- New York 19 July, 1976:
Please accept my greetings. Enclosed please find newsclippings of our Rathayatra Festival held on 5th. Avenue, New York last Sunday. They are taking it seriously now, "East meets West. . ." This is the real platform of United Nations, spiritual understanding.
Letter to Jayananda -- New York 19 July, 1976:
Please accept my blessings. For so long I have wanted to have Rathayatra in New York and now at long last you have helped me fulfill this long-cherished dream.
Letter to Jayapataka -- New York 19 July, 1976:
Enclosed please find clippings of our New York Rathayatra which was held last Sunday. You can show these to your friend Mr. Choudhary and others. I always remember Mr. Choudhary and his good wife.
Letter to Adi-kesava -- New York 19 July, 1976:
Please accept my blessings. I wish to thank you for assisting in organizing such a grand Rathayatra on 5th. Avenue in New York. I am very much pleased with your sincere efforts. Go on like this and Krishna will surely bless you.
Letter to Gaura Govinda -- Vrindaban 18 September, 1976:
But still the mass of people, not being very much advanced in education, stick to the Indian culture. For example, lakhs of people still visit Jagannatha Puri during the Rathayatra Festival, lakhs still visit the Kumbha mela, and lakhs still visit the holy places of India, but there is no encouragement by the leaders.
Letter to Jayapataka -- Vrindaban 28 September, 1976:
I have given one statement in English,* Bengali and Hindi which I will send you, this may be published through the English and Bengali Press Trust of India (PTI). Sravanananda has a film on the last New York Rathayatra, so show this in every town, city, and village and present my statement in Bengali. Radhe Syamasundara.
Letter to Balavanta -- Vrindaban 4 October, 1976:
The main thing is to distribute books—the communist idea is spread practically all over the world on account of distributing huge amounts of literature, but they have no substance. Introduce Rathayatra very nicely and distribute books.
Letter to Bhagavan -- Vrindaban 7 November, 1976:
Therefore it is to be expected that many people in Paris will join us. Regarding Rathayatra, you can change the date according to a suitable time. You may hold it in Paris whenever it is the best time. It will attract many persons. Please do it.
Letter to Jayatirtha -- Hyderabad 17 December, 1976:
I will be glad to go to the Rathayatra festival in Durban next year if they will allow me into the country. They are very strict.
1977 Correspondence
Letter to Minakshi -- Mayapur 16 March, 1977:
I also had the good fortune to have a devotee father and mother and when I was young they gave me Radha Krishna to worship and I was also performing Rathayatra festival with my young friends.
Letter to Ramesvara -- India 17 April, 1977:
Why not hold the Rathayatra on Janmastami? It comes at about the same time as you are planning and it will be very much appreciated. For Gaura-Nitai alone, Rathayatra is not at all recommended because They are playing the part of devotees. But as you are having three large carts you may arrange the following: Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai in the first ratha, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna in the second ratha and Sri Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra in the third ratha.
Letter to Ramesvara -- India 17 April, 1977:
I have received a letter from Caru dasa from Berkeley. He is worried that due to your Rathayatra no devotees will attend the San Francisco Jagannatha festival. This must not happen. Due to competition one program should not be diminished for another. San Francisco Jagannatha festival is established for many years, and it must be maintained and increased in the same grand style. As far as possible all of the devotees should attend it, as has been done in the previous years. You may also hold Rathayatra as described above in Los Angeles. In this way both festivals can be performed very grandly.
| Page Title: | Ratha-yatra car festival of Lord Jagannatha (Letters) |
| Compiler: | Sahadeva, Gopinath |
| Created: | 16 of Dec, 2009 |
| Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=324 |
| No. of Quotes: | 324 |