This is a festival of the summers. When the heat becomes unbearable, the Lord is taken on a boat ride in the nearby pond, Ban Ganga.

Ban Ganga enhances the faith in the religious, and bewilders the scientists. The story goes that Lord Ram, an incarnation of the Supreme Lord who traversed the earth ages ago, came to this pace during His earthly pastimes. He shot an arrow into the earth and out flowed water of the Ganges that filled this pond. It’s said that even today the water in this pond has its source in the Ganges. One convincing proof is that the water contained in Ban Ganga is sweet despite the Arabian Sea that’s only meters away. Scientists have no alternative explanation for this phenomenon.

Devotees start decorating the boat several days before the festival, but the flower decoration in particular is put up on the festival day itself. When the boat is ready, it’s a display of creativity at its best. Small deities of Radha and Krishna are taken on a boat ride in the pond at dusk, while devotees sit on the stone steps on the sides. They watch the Lord enjoy the ride and automatically feel satisfied.

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Soft, soothing music is played for the Lord’s pleasure and with time, the sun sets. With the boat now illumined by a dim light that reflects in the waters, the scene becomes all the more beautiful, the mind experiences calm, and the heart feels joy.

A Report by NDTV

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