Festival transforms London skyline

[Guest guest]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Image attached: Devotees dressed as Radha and Krishna in the Carnival of

Chariots (pic by Radha Mohan das)

 

 

story:-

 

‘Hare Krishna festival transforms London skyline’

 

 

Over 15,000 people participated in the 36th London “Ratha-yatra Carnival

of Chariots” last Sunday 20th of June.

 

The London skyline was transformed by three, 40-foot high colourful

chariots carrying the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord

Balarama. The 5000-strong procession wound its way from Hyde Park Corner

to Trafalgar Square accompanied by floats, singers, musicians, and

dancers.

 

A cultural festival was then put on at Trafalgar Square where Londoners

learned how to play Bengali instruments, wear saris and dhotis (Indian

dress), discuss spirituality, and browse in the Indian style bazaar. The

stage show featured performances by the Nitai Dance group, classical

Orissan dance, and devotional music by the Hare Krishna Festival Troupe.

Free Indian vegetarian meals were distributed to all the revellers.

A message of appreciation from Tony Blair Prime Minister was read out on

stage, and Atma Singh, policy advisor on Asian affairs, delivered a

message from London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

 

"It was a hugely successful event,” says Titiksu Dasa, Co-ordinator of

London Carnival of Chariots. “The traditional Rathayatra has three

chariots, and we’ve been holding the festival for 36 years with this very

aspiration. This has now been fulfilled and I hope that the Rathayatra

Carnival of Chariots gets even bigger and brighter in years to come.”

 

The festival came to London in 1969, brought over by Srila Prabhupada, where

it has been faithfully observed every year for the last 36 years attracting

more than 15,000 people.

 

Tony Blair Prime Minister’s message for Rathayatra Carnival of Chariots

"I am glad to have this opportunity to convey my support for the 36th

annual Ratha Yatra Festival and to signal the Government's strong commitment

to diversity and the contribution it can make to Britain today. We are

determined to see the kind of dynamic society in which people from

different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds can truly celebrate

what we have in common as well as retaining and being proud of our

distinctive identities.

 

“I very much welcome events such as this, which will help us all to

celebrate the values and benefits of diversity whilst developing a greater

sense of shared values. This festival sees different communities coming

together, but also shows the positive expression of belief that is

characteristic of the Krishna consciousness movement and of British Hindus

more widely."

 

 

Your servant

Radha Mohan das

 

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