*Where: Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square*
*Time: Procession starts 12 noon from Hyde Park, South Carriage Drive *
Arrival Trafalgar Sq. 2.30pm
* Festival ends 5.30pm*
Highlight
London's 'Ratha-yatra' Festival of Chariots returns to the streets of the
capital on Sunday 20th June 2010. London will be illuminated by the
wonderful colours and sounds of the annual Hare Krishna festival, a vibrant
celebration of Indian culture and spirituality in our city.
Thousands of festival-goers, pilgrims, and faith leaders from all over the
world will hand-pull the three 40-foot high colourful chariots carrying the
sacred deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama from Hyde
Park to Trafalgar Square. The giant chariots will be accompanied by a
procession of singers, musicians, and dancers. London will pulsate to
Indian spiritual sounds with instruments from across the globe.
At Trafalgar Square, where the procession concludes, the whole family can
enjoy cultural and educational displays and exhibitions, revealing the
spiritual heart of India. Revellers can participate in lively workshops,
sample music, food, and literature, or try sari-draping and face-painting.
From the stage, festival-goers will be treated to traditional temple dance,
drama, and music. In addition to all this, free sumptuous Indian vegetarian
cuisine will add to a special family outing. It will indeed be a feast for
the eyes, ears and the palate!
*History *
This Festival of Chariots, Ratha-yatra, is a celebration dating back over
5000 years, annually observed in the ancient holy city of Jagannatha Puri in
Orissa, India, making it the oldest street festival in the world. Devotees
believe that if they get the honour of pulling the ropes of the giant
chariot, carrying Lord Krishna, known as Jagannatha -- Lord of the Universe,
then, at the end of this life, they will be granted eternal service to the
Lord in the spiritual world.
Titikshu Das, Co-ordinator of London Carnival of Chariots says: "Each year,
we aim to make the Festival of the Chariots a more vibrant and colourful
festival for London. Now over forty years on, it's amazing to see yet
another generation of Londoners enjoying the Ratha-Yatra celebrations here
in our capital".
*East meets West*
This ancient festival was brought to western shores by His Divine Grace AC
Bhaktivedanta Swami, founder of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness. The first Ratha-yatra festival outside of India took place in
San Francisco in 1967. This festival came to London in 1969, where it has
been faithfully observed every year for over 40 years attracting more than
30,000 people throughout the day.
*For public enquiries contact:*
The Radha Krishna Temple, 10 Soho Street London W1V 5DA Tel: 020
7437 3662
*
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*Website:* www.iskcon.org.uk/rathayatra
*For media enquiries: *
Images available upon request
Varsana devi dasi
Tel: 01923 852819 / 07788453756
E-mail: Varsana.SRS@pamho.net
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