Rathayatra - Festival of Chariots
London Flooded with Devotion
Sunday 14th June, for one day a year in London, Hindus and guests of all faiths come together to celebrate Lord Jagganath’s yearly parade called Rathayatra by the thousands! Lord Jagganath comes with His siblings, Lady Subhadra and Lord Baladeva, to see and bless all of humanity with His large gazing eyes.
This 46th annual Rathayatra was a little different than usual, as there was only one large cart (vs three) making its way through the city centre landmarks of London, due to an unforeseen circumstance by the organiser of the event. But one cart – or three, the sight of the Rathayatra was magnanimously seen throughout the streets, with a flood of devotees for a mile of each side of the cart! The procession began at 11:30 Hyde Park and made its way to Trafalgar Square by 14:00. The festival at Trafalgar Square was from 12:00 to 17:00, full of tents and a large main stage sitting just beneath the famous Lord Nelson’s column. The column is a symbol of the victory of the British in the Napoleonic wars, and now a victory for diversity and Vedic culture!
It is a time when Hindus, especially members of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) reflect, appreciate and reaffirm their faith in their spiritual path of Bhakti Yoga (yoga of devotional service).
There was plenty of music, drums, and dancing as well as colourful attire all around for this celebration along the parade path and pouring into Trafalgar Square. But don’t be mistaken: for this type of party is considered indeed service in their devotion to Lord Jagganath.
Attendance of the festival was estimated at 5,000 people on the procession, and about 30,000-40,000 people passed through the square through the afternoon with more than 20,000 free plates of vegetarian food consisting of: rice, paneer (fresh cheese) and chickpea vegetable dish, halvah (sweet semolina dish), srikon (pressed yogurt dish) and chutney distributed to passer-byers.
There was also an array of modern and ancient mantra music, by artists such as Jahnavi Harrison, Ananda Monnet and Gopi Bhava; all artists who have their own albums in the devotional/mantra music area.
There were also stalls of different interactive sessions on meditation, kirtan and yoga as well as a children’s tent doing face painting (gopi-dots) for all who came through.
For more info:
Fb: London Rathayatra
Website: rathayatra.co.uk/
