That afternoon, Sunday April 2, 2017, the old city in Semarang became crowded by people who

wanted to watch ogoh-ogoh carnival. Old City became witness of the diversity of the ethnic,
religion, and culture and faiths. Narayana Smrti Temple was not missed to be invited and the
devotees pulled Lord Jagannath in the main street of Semarang.

This is very good proposal. Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be
a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th
May, 1967)

There is no devotees stayed in Semarang. Sundar Krishna Prabhu and his wife Nava sasi devi
dasi disciples of H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaj lived near Semarang. They worked hard to
prepare the arrival of Lord of Universe, Lord Jagannath in Semarang. They communicated with
Garuda prabhu and Subhananda prabhu from Narayana Smti Temple of Jogjakarta. They then
published the plan of participation in the ogoh-ogoh carnival in social media and devotees all
over Indonesia reacted in jolly that the Ratha yatra could be done in new place in Semarang,
central Java.

This transcendental pleasure is unlimited and increases as we increase our desire to give more
and more voluntary service. To surrender to Krsna all at once is not generally possible, but as we
serve Krsna more and more, we gradually become more and more surrendered at His lotus feet.
SPL to Karunamayi, 25th February, 1968

A preparation is made, the devotees from Bali prepare paraphernalia that could not find in
Semarang. The Chariot team then prepared the chariot from Jogjakarta to Semarang. They Work
hard and did the best to prepared the chariot. Flowers that used to decorate the cahariot were
brought from Bali and it was donated by Gurucaran prabhu. Devotees from Bali arrived aday
before the festival. They unswervingly gave a hand to prepared the flowers garland decorated
the chariot and others seva that they could help. Sundar Krishna prabhu booked Pattimura Hotel
as basecamp.

Your enthusiasm is very encouraging to me. There is a great need for spreading of Krsna
consciousness and we need so many enthusiastic boys and girls for carrying on this great
mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu SPL to Karunamayi, 25th February, 1968

A day before festival, H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaja arrived in Jogjakarta after long flight from
Mayapur. Maharaj personally came to infuses extra spirit to de devotees.

On the day of festival, the devotees started the day by doing morning program, Japa, Mangala
arati and guru puja then they made final adjustment. At 10.00 Am H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaj
Arrived at Base camp. Then Maharaj gave class on Ratha yatra. Maharaj expressed his gratitude
to all devotees who took part on the preparation and maharaj also encourage the devotees to
more enthusiast using this human form of life to do devotional service to Lord Krishna. After
class a Balinese dance was performed by Yamuna mataji in front of the Lord Jagannath.

Arati was offered by Maharaj to Their Lord in hall. After Arati the Lord was conveyed to the
chariot and the pujari mde sure that the Lords were in safety condition to do ratha yatra.
Devotees ten honouring prasadam before started the journey of the rath to the Old city.

Coconuts were offered to invoke auspiciousness and also as the sign of the ratha yatra started.
The devotees pulled the chariot from Pattimura hotel into the Old City. Arrived at Old city,
joined other participants that already arrived. Ogoh-ogoh festival Semarang is attended by
hundreds of people consisting of representatives of religions and cultures of some areas in
Central Java and Yogyakarta. In addition to the Deputy Mayor of Semarang and Representative
Kemenparkraf, the event was also attended by the Regional Secretary Adi Tri Hananto. The
devotees than took arrest for a while before the carnival started. The kirtan team lead by Sridhar
peal roaring Hare Krishna Mahamantra and attracted many visitor to see and they astonished
seeing Lord Jagannath on the chariot.

Ogoh-Ogoh Festival Semarang also enlivened by a variety of Cultures Parade, among other art
Gambang Semarang, Kuda Lumping of Java, Lion and Liong of the Chinese

At 4.00 pm, Lord Jagannath chariot entered the crowded of the people who want to see the
festival. The grace of the chariot captivated and amazed many people. More people gazed and
came forward just to take picture in front of the Lord. They were so curious to know what was
it? Beautiful full of flowers decorated chariot, and what is that on the chariot? The chariot then
left them in puzzle and continued the journey to the Mayor office as the end of the festival.

Arriving on the yard of the Mayor office, the devotees took a rest and honoring prasadam. The
committee of the festival then presented dance performance entitle Arjuna Wiwaha to closed
the festival. The sankirtan Book team also distributed Srila prabhupada book.

Seven students of Indonesian Literature Department of the University of Diponegoro, Semarang,

willing away on a motorcycle to Yogya, in order to "chase" their curiosity on Jagannatha. They
went to Narayana Smrti temple, in Jogjakarta. The students were assigned by their teacher to
observe in depth one of the cultural arts community who took part in the parade. Among the
dozens of marchers were performed, the student group was interested in Sri Jagannatha chariot
that was fairly unique and festive look. So, in order to finish their report, they were sincere
"hunt" Jagannatha to Yogya ... In fact, they actually could have chosen communities in
Semarang, so as not to be far conducted interviews to interviewees but they said that the
Happiness Energy that they felt two weeks ago on the festival made them curious to explore
more detail about the Ratha yatra in detail. The also said that it was beyond their expectation
beside they got detail of Jagannatha as a "cultural parade attribute" of Hindu religious art and
culture, they ultimately also met with Sri Krishna and His teachings , And, it appears a satisfied
smile also expanded on their faces, when they eventually leaved the Ashram.

We cannot expect that everyone shall become Krsna conscious, because only the most pious
and fortunate living entities can join this movement. But we are giving a chance for everyone
and it is up to him, to take advantage or not. SPL to Yamuna, 7th June, 1968