The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) and its chapter in Canada have come together to organise the Shri Ram Rath Yatra, a grand pilgrimage that aims to connect and unify Hindu worship centres in the United States and Canada. The yatra, spanning over 60 days, will travel through expansive territories, covering a distance of over 16,000 miles. It is set to make stops at over 850 temples in the US and 150 temples in Canada, forging connections and disseminating the blessings from the sacred Akshat, Prasad, and the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony conducted in Ayodhya on January 22.
The main goal of the yatra is to unify the various Hindu worship centres spread across the vast lands of the US and Canada. These centres represent a wide array of traditions (Sampradayas) within Hindu Dharma. By bringing together the devotees across these temples, the yatra aims to foster a sense of spiritual unity and establish deeper connections within the Hindu community in North America. Through this pilgrimage, the organisers hope to bring the essence of Hindu traditions and the blessings of Shri Ram Lalla directly to the doorsteps of the devotees.
The yatra involves three distinct vehicles, known as Rath(s), each adorned with the motif of Shri Ram Lalla. The US segment of the yatra began at the VHPA headquarters in Sugar Grove, a suburb of Chicago, on March 23. The launch was accompanied by traditional rituals, including the Shankh Naad (conch shell blowing) and puja ceremonies. On its inaugural day, the yatra covered a distance of over 500 miles, visiting temples in Illinois. The American and Canadian chapters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad stated that the yatra was warmly received by temple trustees, priests, and crowds of eager devotees at every temple stop. The overwhelming response from over 300 devotees in several locations is a testament to the excitement and spiritual unity the yatra has ignited among Hindus across North America.
The Canadian segment of the yatra is scheduled to begin in Toronto on March 25. It will cover the extensive network of Hindu temples in the Greater Toronto Area before splitting into two directions. One branch will head east towards Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, while the other will move westward towards British Columbia, visiting other provinces along the way.
Each temple visit during the yatra follows a strict protocol and lasts less than 30 minutes. The statue of Ram Lalla is ceremoniously installed for the duration of the visit, and the puja is performed meticulously following the guidelines set by the Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi Trustees in Bharat. Akshat and Prasad are shared with each temple for distribution among its devotees, and the temple receives an official certificate and a portrait of Ram Lalla as recognition of their participation in the celebrations. After a brief stop, the journey promptly continues towards the next destination.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and its Canadian counterpart have organised this historic pilgrimage to strengthen the bonds of the Hindu community and to disseminate the blessings from the holy ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony conducted in Ayodhya. The Rath Yatra not only unifies the diverse traditions within Hinduism but also provides an opportunity for devotees to connect with Lord Ram and seek his blessings at their local temples throughout the US and Canada. As the yatra continues on its journey, the Hindu community eagerly awaits its arrival at the various temples, eager to receive the sacred Akshat, Prasad, and the blessings of Lord Ram.
