Cultural revitalization of tsunami victims: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev leads Temple Chariot Pulling Festival
20 May, 2005
May 20, 2005
Isha Foundation:
[CUDDALORE]- Led and inspired by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation, a group of prominent people including state and central government ministers, judges, and senior bureaucrats, will take part in a special Temple Chariot Pulling Festival in Cuddalore, on the 22nd of May, 2005. In an effort to socially and culturally revitalize the badly fractured psyche of those communities, the Temple Chariot Pulling Festival is yet another healing touch by the state administration, general public and the dedicated volunteers of Isha Foundation.
Brief History
The rich and ancient cultural traditions of India have had many festivities centered around the temple, integrating social and spiritual dimensions with artistic excellence. Among these festivals, the annual pulling of the chariot of the presiding temple through the major streets of the town was an expression of thanksgiving and served as a device to involve the entire community in festivities. The Arulmigu Pataleeswarar Temple in Cuddalore is one such ancient cultural center for the fishermen communities of Cuddalore region. Said to have been graced by the sage Pathanjali (5th century B C) and another contemporary sage Vyagrapada, who is believed to have lived there briefly, the Temple is all set to once again become an anchoring point for the coastal communities. Fallen into disuse for several years, the Temple Chariot of the famous Arulmigu Pataleeswarar Temple of Cuddalore will once again grace the streets of Cuddalore, after a gap of 160 years. Senior state and central government ministers, High Court judges, state administration officials, and reputed social workers, led by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, will once more express solidarity with the tsunami victims by participating in this age old festival.
Sustained solidarity
Isha Foundation Volunteers had earlier observed several social and cultural festivals along with the tsunami victims, in addition to running a full fledged permanent relief and rehabilitation program in several villages. Celebrations of the advent of the New Year and the Pongal festival – the most important in the calendar of the rural communities - were earlier observed in an appropriate manner in these communities.
On the day of Mahashivarathri, on the 8th of March, over 1,000 people from the tsunami hit villages traveled about 500 kms inland to Isha Yoga Center to participate in the nightlong meditations and festivities. Honoring them in a gathering of over 200,000 people, Sadhguru welcomed them as the newest members of the large Isha Family.
The upcoming celebrations of the 22nd of May will include pulling of the Temple Chariot in the morning, followed by festivities in the evening. Honorable ministers of Tamil Nadu State government Mr. PC Ramasamy, Mr. C. V Shanmugam, Mr. K. Venkatapathy, minister of state in the Central government, Mr. R. Balasubramaniam, Mr. A Kulasekaran, Mr. M Thanikachalam, Justices of the Tamil Nadu High Court, Mr. G Radhakrishnan, Mr. T. Pichandi, secretaries to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bedi, District Collector, Mr. Paneer Selvam, Superintendent of Police and celebrated Gandhian social worker and champion of the rights of Dalit communities Padmashree Krishnammal Jegannathan will participate in the festivities.
Since the tsunami struck in December 2004, this will be the fifth visit to the area by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, whose Isha Foundation not only provided early relief to the victims but also provides sustained free medical care, trauma relief programs, rebuilding of dwellings, restoration of livelihood, establishment of school playgrounds, and organization of community games in the villages of Cuddalore and Nagapattanam.
