Hyderabad, July 25 (Odisha.in) ETV Oriya has captured the scenes of Ratha Yatra or chariot festivals of lord Jagannath organized overseas in camera for a larger audiences.
The special program 'Dariaapari Jagannath' aired Monday and Tuesday is now available on the website of the channel. It has footages from about 20 of about 90 countries where the festivals organized with much fun and fare.
'Dariaapari Jagannath' was the last presentation in the month long initiative, titled 'Jeebana Jagannath', of our channel which aired series of special features and theme based episodes on Lord Jagananth and Ratha Yatra, ETV Oriya news coordinator Nilambar Rath told Odisha.in.
This comprehensive presentation was programmed from the beginning till the end of the annual auspicious ceremonies of the 'Chaturdha Murti', i.e. from Snana Poornima to Niladri Bije.
Audio-visual capsules under 'Jeebana Jagannath' series were also put on the website of ETV Oriya for larger benefit of the global audience, especially the Oriya people.
Lord Jagannath has been the global identity for all Oriyas. Not only that, the Lord is considered as the prime driving force in the spectrum of Orissan art, culture and spiritual activities.
Lord Jagannath is known as 'A-paani-pada,' which describes that he has no hands and no legs. But the omnipresent Lord has crossed the geographical boundaries of Utkala and reached every nook and corner of the world.
Today, Ratha Yatra is observed in more than 90 countries rightly depicting the concept of 'Jagata-ra-naatha'. The story on ‘Overseas Ratha Yatra' portrays a comprehensive picture on the auspicious festival observed worldwide with the experiences of the exponents of Jagannath culture, Rath added.
When we talk about the journey on overseas Ratha Yatra, USA comes first. In America, in more than 15 places, people celebrate Ratha Yatra with full enthusiasm and devotion.
The Ratha Yatra at the Hindu temple in Nashville, organized by 'Jagannath Society of the Americas', has been taking a lead in propagating Jagannath philosophy and culture
in the USA. 'Nashville Ratha Yatra', specially captured for the viewers of ETV Oriya, shows the colour, flavour and spirit of the socio-cultural life of overseas Oriyas.
The Oriya families at San Francisco are also fully charged with the devotion of the Lord. People of other Indian communities, even the
native Americans, participate with enthusiasm, every year. 'San Francisco Ratha Yatra' is another true story of 'Oriya bhakti bhabana' towards the Lord of the Universe.
And the story on 'ISKCON Ratha Yatra' depicts the journey of Jagannath Yatra, across the world, by 'International Society for Krishna Consciousness' (ISKCON) from early seventies till date.
ETV Oriya is the first television channel to capture and encapsulate the global presence of Lord Jagannath and Ratha Yatra and telecast them for the large audience living in and outside Orissa. To view the audio-visual capsules one can log on to
http://etv.co.in/rathayatra/index.html.
Odisha.in
