The first people that I met at the Radha Govinda Cultural Centre, as preparations were underway, was a group of volunteers from the Jesus Christ Seventh Day Adventist. Sweet folks they are. They were made security patrol to keep chariot chanters and chariot rope pullers in line and away from traffic.
The route established by organizers of the Edmonton’s Chariot Fest is an industrial park area of the city’s south. Basically it is not a public zone but for some Hindu temple destinations along the way. I suppose the patches of wildflowers and magpies moving about in the air and on land, benefit from the sound of ancient mantras that are an integral part of the event.
I was really happy to see dignitaries taking part; Mayor Sohi, Minster of Labour and Education Madhu, Rod Royal MLA, and MLA Deval. They really got into the chanting, the water and moving in rhythm.
After the route was completed, a loop which led right back to the original take off at the cultural center, hunger and thirst pangs were satisfied. Many people gravitated to the stage area. What a joy it was to see two of the presenters performing indigenous dance by the Cree tradition. One chap did these impressive dances with hoops. It was truly entertaining. The same person, Andre, is multi talented, demonstrating and singing that old Beatles classic about “Money Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Overall, it was a great show with some need towards tweaking.
Source: http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2022/08/saturday-july-30-2022.html
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