Western world’s first Ratha Yatra
July 9, 1967—the day of the first Rathayatra festival had arrived! The Diggers, temple's next-door neighbors, loaned their flatbed truck (with OM emblazoned on the hood and DIGGER YOU painted on the front bumper) to haul the devotees behind the Deities' truck. Yamuna, Janaki,Harsharani, and Malati decorated the vehicles. Gurudas went with Jayananda to the Farmer's Market for oranges and apples. Ramanuja and Uddhava came with armloads of flowers.
Devotees had rented a U-Haul flatbed truck for the occasion. Jayananda Prabhu with his astounding energy as he, Haridas, and Shyamasundar worked around the clock to build a pavilion and altar on the bed of the truck. For the first time the festival was celebrated outside India. A beautiful sunny morning drew out many hippies to join the devotees for the celebration. The Deities were brought out one by one, escorted by an enthusiastic kirtan, and installed under a four-pillared gazebo, whose pyramid canopy was gaily covered with satin cloth. It sat on top of
a flatbed truck decorated with flags, festoons, and flower garlands. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balarama were enthroned on opposite sides to give Their merciful glances to all passersby. Lady Subhadra sat behind, majestically looking out from the back to see all the devotees. Yamuna sat with her harmonium, leading the chanters on the truck. The amplified voices engulfed the streets, creating a spiritual atmosphere.
Jayananda had tried to get a permit for a parade through the park, but the police only gave their permission to go down Frederick Street to the sea; and the police tried to hurry up the procession. But so many people crowd the street that the devotees are obliged to go as slowly as Prabhupada had instructed them. Yamuna really got her kirtan going, with Subala leading the devotees in ecstatic dancing. Jayananda jumped higher and higher, jubilantly playing his kartals. The ladies standing on the truck distributed chapatis with slices of orange, apple, and banana. Everyone threw flowers to onlookers as the procession marched on to the beach. The police calmed down and later admitted that our parade was one of the most peaceful events they had ever experienced.
Syamasundara was carefully driving the truck. As he navigated a steep hill, the truck's engine stalled. He tried to start it up again, but the truck started rolling backwards. The devotees became frightened. At last the engine fired up and the truck moved on up the hill once again. But then the engine stalled a second time. Again it began rolling backwards and again Syamasundara quickly applied brakes, started the engine, and began moving up the hill. This happened several times, and the devotees are put into transcendental anxiety. At last they reached the top. From here on, the Deities got a smooth ride all the way down to the Pacific.
How the devotees brought Jagannath in His Ratha to Srila Prabhupad at Stinson's Beach…Find out in tomorrow's ‘Jagannath to Jagat'; Celebrating 50 years of Jagannath's appearance in the West
Reference: July 9, 1967—the day of the first Rathayatra festival had arrived! The Diggers, temple's next-door neighbors,
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