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It was a fine sight for the eyes of thousands of conditioned souls. The parade spanned one mile in length and was led by a large assembly of Brahmans (initiated priests). Vaisesika Dasa led the priests in singing and chanting Vedic hymns from the Brahma-Samhita along with many various prayers. Following that group was a twelve member marching band joyfully and skillfully playing Hare Krishna mantra melodies with horns and percussion instruments.

Next in the procession came groups of dancing ladi

By Karuna Dharini Dasi 

ISKCON’s Los Angeles temple, New Dwaraka, celebrated its Golden Jubilee Fiftieth Anniversary Festival of Ratha-yatra with strong enthusiasm for the pleasure of Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra, and ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The festival took place on August 2nd in Santa Monica and Venice and was very well attended by devotees from all over the world. In recognition of its 50th year, the California Stat

Today is Ratha-yatra day.

It is a great honor, privilege, and pleasure to be here on the auspicious occasion of Snana-yatra. The first deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra in ISKCON were discovered in San Francisco in 1967. One of Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples, Malati dasi, saw a small figure in an import store, Cost Plus, and brought it to him. When Prabhupada saw the figure, his eyes opened wide. He folded his palms and bowed his head in respect. Then he said, “You have brought

Vedisches Zentrum Wien – Iskcon Vienna
What an extraordinary celebration! Thank you to everyone who was part of this beautiful festival and helped make it so special. Your smiles, service, kirtan, and joyful spirit created unforgettable memories.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118518

By Atma Tattva Das, 

The 2026 Sandton Ratha Yatra brought thousands of attendees to Sandown High School in Johannesburg across a two-day public festival that combined devotional processions, cultural programming, youth outreach, and community engagement.

Held from May 15–16, the annual Festival of Chariots featured large-scale prasadam distribution, live kirtan performances, public processions through Sandton, youth-focused educational program. Organizers estimated that approximately 10,000 peop

Not many festivals stop the city streets but Ratha Yatra does. Every. Single. Time.
The Festival of Chariots is one of the world’s oldest and most joyful celebrations, rooted in thousands of years of tradition and brought to life in cities across the globe. Now in its 11th year in Brisbane, it continues to remind us what this city is truly made of: open hearts, vibrant community and a genuine invitation for everyone, regardless of background or belief.
The event was electric. Colour, dancing, ch

The Islamic population in Bangladesh constitutes approximately 91.04%. Although spreading Krishna Consciousness in Bangladesh has faced its challenges throughout the decades but still devotees are enthusiastic and are trying their level best to continue preaching throughout the country. As declared by Srila Prabhupada, related by Vaiysaki Das " I put on my head the dust from the feet of whoever preaches in the Muslim countries." p? thivite ache yata nagaradi-grama sarvatra pracara haibe mora na

“Lord Jagannātha is Kṛṣṇa Himself, and the Ratha-yātrā festival is a festival celebrating Lord Kṛṣṇa’s coming out from His temple to see His devotees and to give His blessings to all.” (Lecture, Ratha-yātrā, San Francisco, 27 June 1971)

Source: https://dandavats108.blogspot.com/2024/07/ratha-yatra-in-sydney.html

Amidst thousands of tourists in the picturesque destination, the ISKCON Gold Coast, Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise hosted their annual Festival of Chariots, commonly known as Ratha Yatra. This vibrant celebration held along the coast not only signifies a cultural and spiritual milestone but also reflects the perseverance and dedication of the local devotees and community.

The early years of organizing the Rath Yatra were not without obstacles, said Madhavananda Das, a prominent figure from the

By Syama Mohinī Devi Dasi and Nama Priya Devi Dasi  

On February 10th, hundreds gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, for the annual Jagannatha Ratha-Yatra parade hosted by ISKCON of Phoenix. In addition to the procession, a festival was held at the Steele Indian School Park, which included book distribution, yoga and meditation, henna and face painting, children’s activities, cultural programs, dance presentations, and the distribution of 1,000 plates of prasadam. Though inclement weather threatened th

Devotee youth and young adults from across Florida participated in the annual Gasparilla Parade held in Tampa, Florida, on January 20th, bringing the mercy of Lord Jagannath to the third-largest parade in the United States.

According to the city of Tampa, the Gasparilla Parade welcomes a crowd of around 300,000 every year to celebrate the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar’s invasion of the harbor. The parade, often referred to as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, features a lively procession of pirate

On December 9th, ISKCON devotees joined representatives from other faiths (Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu) at the annual interfaith gathering held at the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Thailand. They offered kirtan for the thousands in attendance and provided prasadam and Srila Prabhupada’s books in booths at the event.

The annual interfaith gathering honoring Thailand’s King was held on the day before the Pattaya Ratha Yatra. Pattaya, a popular coastal city in Thailand, is known

By Divya Prabhanda Das

This September, ISKCON Croatia celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Zagreb Ratha Yatra and the Maha-Abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada as the closing ceremonies. In 1983, ISKCON was registered in Zagreb not only for Croatia but for the whole of former Yugoslavia. Besides the devotees from all parts of Croatia, devotees from the Slovenian, Bosnian and Serbian yatras also joined the celebration.

The celebration started with the 9th Zagreb Ratha Yatra, attracting the attentio

By Atma Tattva Das

In a remarkable tribute to the spiritual legacy of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, Soweto Ratha Yatra 2023 on September 30, 2023, is set to be an unparalleled event of devotion and transcendence. This year’s festival holds profound significance as it marks the first celebration of this grand event since the passing of Kadamba Kanana Swami earlier this year in March.

The Soweto Ratha Yatra, an annual tradition envisioned by His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, promises to be

This weekend, ISKCON communities are hosting festivals worldwide, from Color Festivals in Columbus, Ohio, and Moundsville, West Virginia, to Ratha Yatra processions in Bulgaria, Brighton, and Bloomington.

Festival of Color at Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, New Vrindaban, WV. Jai Krishna and Ananda Groove Band on stage.

ISKCON Columbus, a growing community in Ohio, is holding their first-ever Color Festival and less than 100 miles away in Mason (near Cincinnati), devotees are guiding a Ratha Yatra

By Phuspitaa Naaidu   

On September 2nd, in a remarkable display of devotion and cultural unity, residents of Batam, Indonesia, witnessed the Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival. As part of the esteemed Indonesian Cultural Week, known as “Pekan Budaya Indonesia,” this festival illuminated the depth of tradition and the spirit of togetherness, surpassing the expectations of the organizing committee. You can watch a beautiful video about the celebration here.

“Pekan Budaya Indonesia,” the Indonesian C

“Prabhupada was now surrounded by devotees, and I brought out the photo package prepared by Ramesvara Maharaja, which detailed the magnificent observance of Ratha-yatra by the disciples in Los Angeles.  Prabhupada became ecstatic seeing the bright, colorful photos, which were as good as a movie.  As he examined each, he seemed to be diving deeper and deeper into an ocean of nectar.  Of the photo showing hundreds of people waiting in line to see the doll exhibit, he triumphantly stated, ‘I told

In the heart of South Africa, a dedicated team of devotees has come together to form the African Ratha Yatra Alliance or ARYA. Led by Baladev Jagannath Das, the coordinator of programs and logistics, ARYA has been enthusiastically working to bring the devotional vibrancy of Ratha Yatra festivals to different corners of Africa. In a recent interview, Baladev shared the inspiring journey of ARYA and shed light on the challenges they have faced along the way.

The origins of ARYA can be traced back

The City of Leicester became a sea of colour as Krishna devotees gathered from around the country to attend the vibrant Hare Krishna festival on July 2, 2023. Located in the East Midlands region of England, Leicester is a vibrant and culturally diverse city with a rich history. It’s known for its historic landmarks, such as Leicester Cathedral, and its thriving arts, music, and sports scenes. 

A thunderous pahandi ceremony was performed as the magnificent Deities of Jagannath, Baladeva, and Sub