The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) is gearing up for an expansive Ram Mandir Rath Yatra, slated to commence on March 25th. Embarking from Chicago on the auspicious occasion of ‘Holi’, the yatra is slated to traverse 851 temples across 48 states in the United States, covering a staggering distance of over 8,000 miles (12,800 km) within the span of 60 days.
The journey symbolizes the culmination of fervent devotion for millions of Ram devotees, marking a significant milestone with the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Balak Ram on January 22nd. The celebration of this event reverberated worldwide, with elaborate displays such as giant billboards, car rallies, and recitations of the ‘Ramayana path’ in temples, epitomizing the monumental inauguration of the grand Ram Temple as a testament to civilization’s progress.
The Rath, fashioned from a Toyota Sienna minivan, will bear statues of revered Hindu deities including Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman, and Lord Hanuman. Additionally, it will carry sacred prasad from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, alongside a kalash containing the Prana Pratishtha and pujit akshat, as highlighted by Amitabh Mittal, the general secretary of VHPA.
Mittal underscored the profound impact of the Ram Mandir’s inauguration on the global Hindu community, igniting renewed fervor and faith. The nationwide Rath Yatra, commencing from Chicago and spanning over 8,000 miles, will traverse 851 temples in the USA and approximately 150 temples in Canada, as revealed by Mittal to the Press Trust of India.
Meanwhile, a separate Ratha Yatra in Canada is being orchestrated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Canada, covering a similar number of temples in the country. Tejal Shah of the Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC) emphasized the yatra’s objective of fostering awareness, education, and empowerment of Hindu dharma, stressing the importance of unity in preserving and disseminating Hindu principles globally.
The monumental event is bolstered by the support of numerous volunteers, marking a historic endeavor within the US Hindu community. Shah reiterated the yatra’s inclusive approach, intending to visit not only major temples but also smaller ones across the nation.
As a gesture of appreciation, temples that participated in the inauguration ceremonies of the Ram Mandir in the US will be presented with certificates of participation, underscoring the spirit of gratitude and unity pervading the Hindu community’s collective endeavor.
