Devotion in Motion — Palki Yatra at Bhakti Bhawan
By Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan profile image Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan
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Devotion in Motion — Palki Yatra at Bhakti Bhawan

9 July 2025 – Palki Yatra   The Palki Yatra, which is a palanquin procession, was held on July 9, 2025. This event marked the second such occasion following the Rath Yatra, a chariot procession that coincides with Guru Poornima, an important festival for devotees. For this event, two beautiful, gold-polished palanquins

9 July 2025 – Palki Yatra

 

The Palki Yatra, which is a palanquin procession, was held on July 9, 2025. This event marked the second such occasion following the Rath Yatra, a chariot procession that coincides with Guru Poornima, an important festival for devotees.

For this event, two beautiful, gold-polished palanquins were decorated; they featured red cushion seating and golden embellishment curving all around them.

One palanquin was designated for Radha and Krishna, while the other honoured Shri Guruver – Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Radha and Krishna were adorned with elegant garlands and positioned to face one another, symbolising the highest devotion of the lover-beloved relationship between God and a devotee that our Guruver has imparted to us.

In the other palanquin, our Guruver was seated, dressed in saffron attire and a matching turban adorned with jewelled embellishments. His expression conveyed compassion and unconditional love.

Each palanquin was carried by six devotees, each dressed in saffron kurtas and pants, with blue waistcoats featuring gold block printing on them. The devotee bearing the palanquin felt a sense of pride in having the opportunity to carry their Lord and Guru on their strong shoulders. On the surface, it appears as though the devotees are carrying the palanquin, but in reality, God and Guru are always carrying us and holding on to us and guiding us forward.

This event took place in Bhakti Bhawan, an artistic masterpiece, a structure with no pillars that features a dome ceiling that replicates Shri Radharani’s skirt, with round lights resembling diamond studs on her skirt. When all devotees gather in Bhakti Bhawan, it feels as if we are standing under the protection of Radharani Herself, and she is embracing us with Her love.

The walls of Bhakti Bhawan feature pastimes of Radha and Krishna projected on different dioramas, ranging from Krishna’s birth to Him performing ras leela, divine dance between Lord Krishna and his greatest devotees, the gopis, among other scenes. Photographs of our Gurudev also adorn the circumference of Bhakti Bhawan just below the ceiling. Surrounded by your God and Guru is a nectar that we feel immersed in every time we enter this Bhawan. The Bhawan’s glory is heightened when kirtans are chanted that draw each devotee into the realm of bliss, and through these experiences, devotees feel compelled to remain in this environment because we are receiving everything under one roof.

Experiencing the palanquin journey within the Bhawan was truly divine for all the devotees, who were dressed uniformly in saffron robes to honour their Guru. The palanquins were positioned at the centre of the Bhawan, and the procession moved in a clockwise direction around the inner circumference. Devotees exuded enthusiasm as they danced to the kirtan that glorified our Lord and Guru. Singing, clapping, and moving joyfully in the wake of the palanquin was reminiscent of an ocean, but with an enchanting twist—the vibrant colour of the ocean became orange because of the divine bliss that was being experienced by everyone present in Bhakti Bhawan.

The palanquin journey concluded after a full rotation of the Bhawan. Once the palanquins were placed in their designated areas, all the devotees stepped forward to pay their respects to their beloved God and Guru. Joyfully, then they continued to dance, swaying side to side and revelling in the names of God and Guru.

This journey glorifying God and Guru by carrying them on the palanquin was a heartfelt invitation to them. We welcomed them to shower their love and grace upon us, the sinners, as we eagerly looked forward to celebrating Gurupoonima the next day.

A must-read:

The Ultimate Surrender: A Sacred Story of an Exemplary Daughter of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

By Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan profile image Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan
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