The historic Ram Lalla Rath Yatra concludes in Chicago with overwhelming response from the community
By Vandana Jhingan
VHPA organizes ‘Swagat ceremony and Sampan Samaroh’ that saw the attendance of over 200 people who were there to welcome back Shree Ram Lalla with all their heart.
After visiting 49 States 27000 Miles visiting 850 Hindu Mandirs in 65 Days Ram Rath came back home. It left on March 23rd and came back on May 26th 2024. It was led by Mr Amitab Mittal, General Secretary of VHPA and was joined by Ms Tejal Shah, the Joint Secretary and partially joined by Mr Ajay Shah, President, VHPA.
The event was attended by around 200 People from various different suburbs of Chicago. The Weather prediction was 89% rain & thunderstorm but before 2 hours of Rath arriving to the venue, the sky cleared completely with a 75 degree F temperature.
The Program started with prayers and receiving the Rath by Priest Anil Joshi ji of Hindu Mandir of Lake County Grayslake and all the community members present chanted lord Shree Ram’s name in unison.
Welcome address was given by Mr Harendra Mangrola, President VHPA Chicago, where he welcomed all the guests and thanked all the supporting Mandirs of Chicagoland. He said this Yatra has helped in uniting all of the Chicagoland temples and said Ram Rajya call has begun from Chicago/US by thanking Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi Ji.
Master Vedarth, Anirved Marfatia and Shiva Vaishnavi Chanted Hanuman Chalisa. Ms Anjika Awasthi performed Mere Shree Ram Aaye Hain.
Mr Ajay Shah, President VHPA, thanked all Chicago Community for making the event possible. He said today is the first day of Ram Rajya. The responsibility of VHPA is to connect Mandirs and “we are successful in that effort.”
Mr Abhay Asthana, Chairman, Advisory Board of VHPA, said, “the Inspiration of this Rath Yatra came from the Car Rally but I never expected this Rath Yatra will take this shape. It became very successful. Visiting 850 Mandirs and making connections is an exceptional achievement.
Mr Sanjay Mehta, Scretary, Advisory Board VHPA stressed that ‘Dharmo Rakshti Rakshita’. We don’t want Bhagwan to come and protect us, we have to do it ourselves.
Volunteers Hetal Patel, Shipra, Anurag Awasthi, Niyati Vasani, Kathryn and Manan Raval were among those who helped and were honored. Ms Meghna Bansal, Dr Panna Barai and revered journalist Vandana Jhingan honored Ms Preet Mital and Dr Barai. Additionally, Krishna Bansal honored Amitabh Mittal ji.
Jaya Asthana led the VHPA Prathna and Bhojan Mantra and Nirav Patel offered a vote of thanks which concluded the event.
