Krishna Sharanam

LONDON: Thousands of pilgrims and faith leaders from all over the world participated in a

Ratha-yatra, festival of chariots, here on Sunday evening as the city was illuminated by

wonderful colours and sounds of the annual Hare Krishna Festival.The devotees pulled three

40-foot high colourful chariots carrying the sacred deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra

and Lord Balarama from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.The giant chariots were accompanied by a

procession of singers, musicians and dancers.

At Trafalgar Square, where the procession concluded, thousands of people had gathered to

witness cultural and educational displays and exhibitions linked to the Ratha-yatra.The

festival of chariots is a celebration dating back to over 5000 years, annually observed in

the ancient holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, making it the oldest street

festivalDevotees believe that if they get the honour of pulling the ropes of the giant

chariot 'carrying Lord Krishna, known as Jagannatha - Lord of the Universe, then, at the end

of this life, they will be granted eternal service to the Lord in the spiritual world.

"Each year, we aim to make the Festival of the Chariots a more vibrant and colourful festival

for London. Now over forty years on, it's amazing to see yet another generation of Londoners

enjoying the Ratha-Yatra celebration here in our capital," said Titikshu Das, Coordinator of

London Carnival of Chariots.This ancient festival was brought to 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 over 40

years attracting more than 30,000 pe

people throughout the day in the world.