Festival of Chariots attracts thousands
Thousands of men, women and children joined in to heave three huge chariots through the city streets yesterday as Lord Krishna was displayed to his devotees.
The 16th annual Rathayatra Festival of Chariots, staged by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, saw the parade draw in about 10,000 people from all over the country.
Some had travelled from afar afield as India, and dropped to their knees as the effigies of Lord Jagannath (Krishna), his sister Subadhra and older brother Balaram, were slowly pulled past.
The worshipers were in Leicester today to witness the celebration of the 5,000-year-old festival, which included singing and music and culminated in a large feast at Cossington Park.
Devotee Madhava Das, 29, who lives in the city, became a monk eight years ago.
Since then he has lived a disciplined lifestyle, visiting other parts of the country to share his beliefs.
He said: “This is the one time of year when those who maybe don’t go to the temple can see the deities, which come out once a year.
“It’s so people can see them - and by pulling at the ropes of the chariot it signifies that they are pulling the Lord into their hearts and lives. The music is essential too.
“We chant a mantra to glorify God and to celebrate life and spirituality.”
The three giant chariots, measuring up to 30ft tall, were taken from the Clock Tower, along Belgrave Gate, over the flyover and finished in Cossington Park, where a feast was waiting.
Live music, dancing and singing - which took place on a large stage - was also on the bill at the post-parade festival.
Ben Dowdeswell, 33, and Lee West, also 33, from the Derek Frearson Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu group, who meet at the Peepul Centre, in Orchardson Avenue, entertained the masses with a Chinese lion dance.
Ben, from Barwell, said: “This, for me, sums up the great diversity of Leicester - a bunch of white guys dancing around in a Chinese lion costume at a Hare Krishna festival.
“I think it’s great, it’s our third year and they keep calling us and getting us back - so we must be doing something right.”
Two weeks ago more than one million people gathered in India for the largest staging of this worldwide festival.
Ezrsebet Varga, 46, who had travelled from London to take part in today’s event, said: “This festival has been celebrated for thousands of years, and people come from all over the country.
“In India it’s huge. More than one million people went recently.”
In 2010, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) were left with no place of worship after an explosion destroyed the temple in North Evington.
Now, the group members are hoping to set up a restaurant, heritage room and an informal library at the former HSBC bank, in Granby Street, Leicester.
A planning application for the former bank has been submitted to Leicester City Council.
Warning for motorists ahead of Festival of Chariots
Motorists are being warned about possible delays due to the annual Festival of Chariots that takes place in Leicester tomorrow.
The Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots, known as Rathayatra, is the second largest festival of its kind in Europe, with 10,000 people expected to attend
The procession is due to start at the Clock Tower at 11.30am before moving along Haymarket, Belgrave Gate, Belgrave Road, Cossington Street and Rendell Road.
It is due to arrive at Cossington Park at about 2.30pm.
As well as delays along these roads, there will also be diversions for some buses. Passengers are advised to check with their bus company for further details.
The festival includes people pulling three huge chariots carrying the Deities of Lord Jagannatha (Krishna), his sister Subhadra, and Lord Balarama from the Clock Tower to Cossington Park, accompanied with music, singing and dancing.
From today's
Leicester Mercury:
Wheels in motion for parade
The final preparations are under way for a colourful and lively city centre procession set to attract thousands of people.
The annual Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots returns to Leicester tomorrow.
The city hosts the second biggest celebration in Europe and festival-goers will descend on Humberstone Gate, to pull three giant chariots from the Clock Tower, in the city centre, to Cossington Street park, Belgrave.
Devotees believe that if they get the honour of pulling the ropes of the giant chariots – carrying models of Lord Krishna, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama – they are brought closer to the Gods, and at the end of this life they will be granted a place in the spiritual world.
Organisers are busy cooking food, arranging flowers and decorating the chariots for the festival, which is expected to attract 9,000 visitors.
Krishan Mistry, who owns Loughborough wedding florist Vrinda Flowers, will be helping to make garlands and flower displays for the festival.
He said: "Flowers play a really important part of the festival and are very significant.
"Garlands are a traditional way of welcoming and showing respect for guests, so those are being made to give to VIPs on the day, and to offer to the deities.
"Flowers are significant because we feel that while you can offer gold and silver, that is a one-time offering. But flowers will wilt, so the offering can be made again and again.
"The flower side of things can be very busy, because it has to be done last minute as the flowers will wilt.
"The arrangements for the park were done on Friday and the garlands will be done today – into the late hours."
The 5,000-year-old festival came to the UK from India in the 1960s, and has since been celebrated in hundreds of cities all over the world.
This year will mark the 14th time the festival has taken place in Leicester – the second biggest celebration in Europe, after London.
The procession leaves Humberstone Gate at noon, and arrives in Cossington Park at 2.30pm.
One of the organisers, Nimai Devi Dasi, said she hoped this year would be bigger than ever.
"Last year, we had 8,000 people, and this year we are expecting 1,000 more," she said.
"It certainly grows every year. The atmosphere is very jovial and family-friendly, and we invite people from all cultures to join us and celebrate.
"The pulling of the chariots is very important and symbolises pulling God into your heart.
"There will also be lots going on at Cossington Park, too, with tents, free food and a children's area with dancing and yoga."
