VANCOUVER –The scenic English Bay was the stunning backdrop forISKCON Hare Krishna Temple’s 37th Annual Chariot Festival of India held on Sunday, August 15th. Sunny weather, a fabulous, colourful parade and the cheers and support of many well-wishers joining in chanting and singing made for an energetic and positive atmosphere. A great time was had by everyone.
The parade started under the Granville Street Bridge and proceeded along the waterfront Beach Avenue to Stanley Park. Thousands of participants and spectators lined the streets or watched from the many apartment buildings lining the beautiful route. They were treated to a spectacular parade that included many diverse musical tastes such as a brass band and ethnic costumed dancers and musicians. Two chariots, including one with young performers, sang kirtan, an Indian devotional tradition of call and response music. This chanting of the traditional Hare Krishna by the hundreds of gathered participants echoed throughout the west end, creating happiness and love to those who heard it. Foot tapping, dancing, singing and large smiles were common among the spectators.
The highlight of the parade was the Ratha Yatra cart. The Ratha Yatra is an ancient festival occurring annually in July in the city of Puri, India on the Bay of Bengal. It commemorates Lord Jagannath’s, (Lord of the Universe) annual journey accompanied by his brother and sister. This is a very auspicious event and the only time that the Jagannatha deity comes outside of the temple to bless the general masses. In keeping with this tradition, the deities from the ISKCON temple in Burnaby make the historic journey in a special cart, pulled by the devotees and followers along English Bay, which is remarkably similar to the historic journey in Puri – the cart in both places travels in stunning scenery between the city and the ocean.
After the parade, a festival was held at Stanley Park’s Second Beach offering a full day of enticing entertainment on two stages – from singing, dancing, kirtan to other interesting talks and recitals. Thousands of free vegetarian prasadam meals were given away, and many activities and events were enjoyed by the children. Face painting and henna art were free and very popular and vegetarian cooking demonstrations showed throughout the day. Vendor stalls showcased beautiful Indian clothes, jewelry and other wares and interactive hatha and bhakti yoga classes were presented.
The festival was a great success with visitors from all of Canada and the US. As the sun set over the majestic English Bay, a final kirtan featuring an international cast of performers closed the festival for 2010.
For the first time in Vancouver, the Second Beach site held a kirtan concert “Kirtan Vancouver” on the Saturday night before the festival. This hugely popular and engaging event showcased both local and international kirtan performers, singing and chanting Indian devotional music until after dark, with a positive Vancouver response, not unlike the joys of the Folk Festival.
The successful weekend’s activities are a precursor to the exciting Janmastimi celebration of the birth of Krishna that will be held on Wednesday, September 1st at the ISKCON temple on Marine Drive in Burnaby (see vancouver.iskcon.ca for more details).
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