By Karuna Shakti Devi Dasi and Radha Krishna Devi Dasi
On Sunday, June 23, 2024, in the heart of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, a colourful and jubilant parade wound its way through Kelowna’s lakeside City Park. The Festival of Chariots was a first for the city, and it was met with much excitement from locals, with an unexpected 1,500 people in attendance.
VIP guests included the “Walking Monk” himself, Bhaktimarga Swami, Mayor Tom Dyas, Councillor Mohini Singh, and Kelowna Lake-Country MP Tracy Gray.
The festival began at 10 a.m. with Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra ascending Their chariot amidst ecstatic kirtan. The small crowd grew to hundreds with the attractive sound. The Puja was then conducted, followed by an introductory speech by Bhaktimarga Swami explaining the festival and mood to onlookers and participants. Mayor Tom Dyas and MP Tracy Gray took up brooms to sweep before the Lord’s Chariot just as the king of Puri would.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/lord-jagannath-parades-in-kelowna-for-the-first-time/
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