Jul 4, 2012 ... “All of them, (from each faith) as they surrender unto Me (God) I reward them
accordingly.” – Bg. 4.11. The American Vedic Association Parade ...
2012 American Vedic Association July 4th Parade Float Application Parade Theme, History, Dimensions & Cultural Fact Sheet
Jagannatha means “Lord of ALL People” in Sanskrit and is the origin of the world “Juggernaut” in English which means “An Unstoppable force.” Indeed! God is Unstoppable Force!
Photo of annual Jagannatha Rathayatra Parade Floats used in Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, India. Approximately 3 million people participate in this great parade!
Ojai Independent Day Parade Theme: God Bless America America is the most lenient country in the world when it comes to religion because everyone has the freedom to practice whatever faith they wish in this country. Therefore it is appropriate that “God Bless America” because in this land He is being honored in so many ways. This is 100% consistent with the Vedic theology taught at the American Vedic Association (AVA.) Students of the Vedas are not obsessed with how or who one learns the principals of religion from but instead focuses on the behavior of the individual. The principals of religion unfold for those who are humble and surrendered a quality demonstrated when when one chooses to help pull this rolling temple in recognition of the Supreme Lord. Therefore people from all faiths are welcome to join in our procession on July 4th as a tangible expression of their own faith, in concert with the pious souls of all great religious traditions. Finding harmony among the various traditions is how we can all learn to live together peacefully and that is the real American Dream, the core teaching of the American Vedic Association, and why God does Bless America! “All of them, (from each faith) as they surrender unto Me (God) I reward them accordingly.” – Bg. 4.11
The American Vedic Association Parade Float The AVA Parade Float is a scaled down version of the original rolling temples that have distinguished the Rathayatra Festival held for thousands of years in the city of Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, India as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. The AVA float is 12ft wide, 16ft long and 25ft tall. (It is designed to collapse down to 12 ft tall while in transit so it can go under electric wires.) It is pulled forward by ropes attended to by anyone wishing to join in this demonstration of faith in the Supreme Lord regardless of what particular tradition one chooses to follow. During the procession musicians lead everyone in the chanting of ancient Sanskrit mantras which are simple prayers which mean: “Oh Lord.. Please accept me as the humble servant to whatever your request me to do.”
News Note: Mr. Roberts designed the float pictured above in Ojai for the Martin Luther King day parade in 2003. That same float has been in the Martin Luther King day parade every year since then. It has also been used in similar parades in: Victorville, Palmdale, San Fransisco, Laguna Beach and Freemont Ca. As well as at; Boise Idaho, Phoenix Az, Las Vegas & Carson Nevada, and Tijuana Mexico! The 4ft Conestoga wheels were provided by Morgan Carriage works in Oak View, Ca. Mr. Roberts has also designed much bigger Rolling temple parade floats for Festivals held annually in the cities of New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, and Kolkata (Calcutta). The parade in Los Angeles is always held on the First Sunday in August and proceeds from the Santa Monica civic center to Venice Beach with much fanfare and media coverage. Approximately 10,000 people are served a free vegetarian meal at that noteworthy annual event.
c/o William Roberts (805) 640-0405 687 West Villanova Road, Ojai, Ca. 93023 Page 1.
