PICTURE OF THE WEEK (from Lajjarani dd):

JOURNAL:

Yesterday's Ratha Yatra was a great success! By noon the sun was shinning and at four, when we had finally finished the preparations, it was warm with just a touch of high clouds in the sky. I saw some of the old devotees that I used to hang out with in the late nineties and found out that they are holding a program here in Portland on Sunday afternoons. The location is such that I will be able to attend.

I started the walk pushing a cart full of bananas to be distributed as prasadam. I was happy to do this service. After being relieved I distributed some of them myself, picking groups of homeless people that others were unsure of approaching. Living on the road as I am made this a perfect service for me to do. During the return trip I was allowed to carry the palanquin and was overjoyed at the opportunity!

We finished the afternoon with an hour and a half kirtan. Ecstatically dancing and singing in front of Lord Jaganatha and His brother and sister was so good! I left tired and satisfied.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada for bringing this tradition to America! All glories to the devotees who have continued it! Ki Jai Jaganatha!