SANTA MONICA , CA – It was an overcast sky with even a hint of a drizzle on the morning of July 31, at the grounds of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium at the start of ISKCON’s “Festival of Chariots” but it did not in any way dampen the spirit of hundreds who had collected to participate in the Chariot Parade from there to Venice Beach . This was the 34th time the temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness at Watseka Avenue in Los Angeles was conducting the hugely popular annual event.
In the morning the idols were taken from the temple and installed in three beautifully decorated chariots, the towering canopies of which were splendidly draped in yellow, green , red and blue. Along the sides, balloons swayed in the cool breeze and holy vehicles were embellished with flowers and finery to give them a splendidly colorful look. Hundreds had gathered by 10 am to participate in the Rath-Yatra and serve their Lord Krishna by helping haul the chariots along the streets of Santa Monica and Venice to their allocated spots on the beach.
Ladies dance in joy at the head of the parade
The significance of the ratha yatra and the subsequent festivities at the beach is that while the deities of Lord
Krishna are usually worshipped inside the temple, this is one day that Lord Jagannatha, his sister Subhadra and Lord Baladeva venture out in the open so the people have a chance to see them in all their glory and spend a while in their presence experiencing their spiritual side while keeping away thoughts of the material world for a few hours, which one has become so attached to.
The lead chariot carried the idol of Lord Jaggannatha, followed by one which housed his sister Subhadra and the final one in which was placed the idol of his brother Baladeva.
The significance of the ratha yatra and the subsequent festivities at the beach is that while the deities of Lord
Krishna are usually worshipped inside the temple, this is one day that Lord Jagannatha, his sister Subhadra and Lord Baladeva venture out in the open so the people have a chance to see them in all their glory and spend a while in their presence experiencing their spiritual side while keeping away thoughts of the material world for a few hours, which one has become so attached to.The lead chariot carried the idol of Lord Jaggannatha, followed by one which housed his sister Subhadra and the final one in which was placed the idol of his brother Baladeva.
Scene of the parking lot where the three chariots are ready for the parade down to Venice Beach
Precisely at 10 o’clock conches were blown to announce the start of the “rath-yatra” led by motorcycle police escorts going south on Main Street from downtown Santa Monica. It took a few giant tugs on the ropes by the two rows devotees in front of the huge 40 ft high and 25 ft long chariots with 6ft steel wheels to get them moving but once momentum was established they were comfortably drawn at a brisk pace down the streets accompanied by chants of “ Hare Krishna and Hare Rama.” Heading the procession were a cheerful group whirling away in dainty dance steps in sheer joy adding to the festive atmosphere of the occasion. As the congregation and chariots made their way to the final destination, dancers and percussionists kept joining midstream and by the time the throng had arrived at Venice Beach the number in the procession had swelled by the hundreds.
At Venice Beach thousands more enjoyed several hours of bhajans, cultural programs, spiritual family activities and discourses spread throughout the day. The live entertainment was performed on different stages featuring international kirtan exponents and dance artists. Booths at the site provided books, publications, videos, religious CDs and gift items of Indian art, fashion apparel and accessories and souvenirs. Arrangements had also been made to cater a vegetarian feast for the thousands who visited the venue.
At Venice Beach thousands more enjoyed several hours of bhajans, cultural programs, spiritual family activities and discourses spread throughout the day. The live entertainment was performed on different stages featuring international kirtan exponents and dance artists. Booths at the site provided books, publications, videos, religious CDs and gift items of Indian art, fashion apparel and accessories and souvenirs. Arrangements had also been made to cater a vegetarian feast for the thousands who visited the venue.
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