London to host 37th "Ratha-yatra Carnival of Chariots"
7 July 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London
will host the 37th “Ratha-yatra Carnival of Chariots” when
it comes to the heart of the capital on Sunday the 17th July 2005. This
Hare Krishna festival of three chariots annually attracts thousands
of devotees and festival goers from across the world, and has become
a not-to-be-missed event in the London calendar.
Hundreds of pilgrims hand-pull the three 40-foot high colourful wooden
chariots carrying the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and
Lord Balarama from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. The giant chariots
are accompanied by a procession of floats, singers, musicians, and dancers. London
pulsates to Indian spiritual sounds with instruments from around the
globe.
At Trafalgar Square, where the procession comes to an end, revellers
participate in a cultural and educational fair, delving into the spiritual
heart of India. The square is decorated by a colourful host of tents
offering music, food, literature, try-a-sari, face painting and other
displays. On stage, festival-goers are entertained by dance, drama and
music. A free sumptuous Indian vegetarian cuisine, adds to a special
family outing.
‘Riot of colour and fun’
Titiksu Das, Co-ordinator of London Carnival of Chariots commented:
"This year, instead of just one, we are having three chariots -
one for each deity, to recreate better the atmosphere of the original
Ratha Yatra in Jagannath Puri, India. This makes the Chariot Carnival
a more vibrant and a more colourful festival for London”.
Praghosa Das, leader of the Hare Krishna Movement in the United Kingdom
added: "This festival is an amazing East-meets-West experience
and everyone is welcome. The traditional singing, dancing, free vegetarian
food, the sheer exotic pageantry make it a fun day out for the whole
family.”.
Oldest street festival in the world
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 (literally "Lord of the
Universe"), then at the end of this life, they will 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 (Hare Krishna movement). The first Ratha-yatra
festival outside of India took place in San Francisco in 1967. The festival
came to London in 1969, where it has been faithfully observed every
year for the last 35 years, now attracting more than 13,000 people annually. This
year’s festival is dedicated to the 108th anniversary of the birth
of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada .
Public enquiries
The Radha Krishna Temple, 10 Soho Street, London W1V 5DA
Tel: 020 7437 3662
Website: www.iskcon.org.uk/rathayatra
Media enquiries
Images available upon request
Varsana devi dasi
Tel: 01923 852819
Mobile: 07788453756
E-mail:
Bimal Krishna das
Mobile: 07958 464072
E-mail:
Nima Suchak
Mobile: 07974677170
E-mail:
