Rathayatra

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Cardiff to host Wales' first "Ratha-yatra festival of Chariots"

4 August 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

When: Saturday 20th August 2005
Where: Cardiff City Hall to Coopers fields.
Time: Procession starts 12 noon at City Hall.
Arrives at Coopers field's 2.00pm
Festival ends 6.00pm

Cardiff will host its first ever "Ratha-yatra festival of Chariots" when it comes to the heart of the capital on Saturday 20th August 2005. This Hare Krishna chariot festival will attract devotees and festival goers from across the UK and is set to become an event in the calendar not to be missed.

Hundreds of pilgrims, devotees and festival goers from all over the UK will hand pull the 40-foot high colourful wooden chariot carrying the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama from City Hall to Coopers fields. The giant chariot will be accompanied by a procession of singers, musicians, and dancers. Cardiff will be pulsating to Indian spiritual sounds with instruments from across the globe.

At Coopers fields, where the procession comes to an end, revellers will participate in a cultural and educational fair, delving into the spiritual heart of India. The square will be decorated by colourful host of tents offering music, food, literature, sari wraping, face painting and other displays. On stage, festival-goers will be entertained by dance, drama and music. A free sumptuous Indian vegetarian cuisine, will add to a special family outing.

'Riot of colour and fun'

Praghosa Das, leader of the Hare Krishna Movement in the United Kingdom says: "This festival will be an amazing East-meets-West experience and everyone is welcome. The traditional singing, dancing, free vegetarian food, the sheer exotic pageantry will make it a fun day out for the whole family," he adds.

History

The traditional Jagannath Ratha Yatra is a celebration over 5000 years- old, observed in the ancient holy city of Jagannath 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 Jagannath- Lord of the Universe, then at the end of this life, they would be granted eternal service to the Lord in the spiritual world.

East meets West

This ancient festival was brought to the 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 the last 37 years attracting more than 25,000 people. This year is the first time it has come to Wales and we hope it will become an annual occasion for everyone.

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Public enquiries

The Soul Centre: 07813 154849 / 07967 636485
Govindas: 01792 468469

Website: www.thesoulcentre.net

Media enquiries

Images available upon request

Tarakanatha Das 07967 636485
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