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.
Crowds join celebrations for Krishna
Chanting and dancing marked the birthday of supreme Hindu god Lord Krishna.
The birth of the deity, who lived about 5,000 years ago, was celebrated in dozens of temples and homes across the county at midnight last night.
At the new Shreeji Dham Haveli temple in Rushey Mead, Leicester, devotees prayed and fasted all day and then broke open a "matki" containing butter and milk as an offering to the god before breaking their fast with a feast.
Six-year-old Nandani Kachela, from the Belgrave area of Leicester, was among about 900 people who visited the temple yesterday.
She said: "The birthday of Lord Krishna is always fun and people chant and later we all go outside and have lots of nice food."
Kirit Shah, 54, of Stoneygate, Leicester, said: "It's the biggest day for us and it is very special to know this day is being celebrated all over the world and to feel part of such an important event."
Kalpna Gokani, 37, from Wigston, was at the temple with her three-year-old son, Rian, and her mother and aunt.
She said: "I come here often because there's lots going on and my mother and aunt practically live here. Last year, I celebrated this day at home, but it's lovely to be able to come here this year because it's a wonderful new temple. It's a place where you can feel at peace and a lovely space to come and celebrate this fun occasion."My son is very excited and it's a wonderful time for us – it is a very colourful and enjoyable celebration."
Nitin Saujani, a trustee of the temple, said Lord Krishna's birthday would be celebrated at temples and homes across Leicester.
He said: "This is the biggest day for us. Krishna is the supreme god in Hinduism.
"There are hundreds of gods but Krishna is the main one.
"Diwali is like our Christmas – it's the festival of light and a very big celebration – but this is the most important religious day."
The Shreeji Dham Haveli temple in Leicester is the biggest temple of the Haveli sect of Hinduism in Europe.
The differences between the Haveli sect and mainstream Hindus are so slight many who are not members of the sect still worship at the Rushey Mead temple.
The Haveli sect focus more on certain writings than other Hindus.
The temple, in Melton Road, Rushey Mead, used to be the Royale Cars showroom and the trust that now owns the building plans to add a library, computer room and dining area.
The latest census figures available show there were 41,000 Hindus living in Leicester in 2001.
This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Hare Krishna festival of chariots is highlight of oldest street festival
Thousands of devotees pulled a huge chariot through the city yesterday to celebrate the world's oldest street festival.
Dancers, drummers and flag wavers led the Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots from Cossington Street, in Belgrave, to a huge party at Leicester's Town Hall Square.
The 15th annual Ratha-yatra festival was staged by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Devotees, who usually start in Humberstone Gate and finish in Belgrave, were forced to reverse their procession, due to waterlogged ground at Cossington Street Park.
Pradyumna Dasa, president of the group's new temple in Granby Street, Leicester, said: "Though it was never our plan to move the festival, it seems to us that Krishna's plan is to go towards his new home in the centre of the city."
For the Jethwa family from Syston, it was a perfect opportunity to celebrate their Hindu faith together.
Dad Jit, 41, said: "It is important that our children learn about our festivals.
"We are all born and bred in Leicester, a multi-cultural city that allows us to celebrate our culture and beliefs. It's fantastic."
Daughter Devi, eight, said: "My favourite part is the singing and the food."
Sister Bhavani, 11, said: "We have had a really nice day. I like watching it all pass us."
The procession featured a 40-foot chariot, which carried representations of Lord Jagannatha (Krishna) and his siblings, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama.
Work colleagues Siva Narayanasamy, 27, and Vimal Srinivasan, 30, watched the procession gather in Gallowtree Gate.
Siva, who lives in the city, said: "I'm really impressed by the size of the chariot. It's like being in India."
Vimal, also from the city, said: "It really gives you a divine feeling when we share our religion across the city. It sends such a good message."
For Lalita Dasi, from Groby, it was also a chance to catch up with friends and family.
The 53-year-old said: "You end up bumping into people you haven't seen since last year."
The procession ended with a party at the town hall, with dance and yoga displays, singing and vegetarian food.
The photo above shows the Chariot on Belgrave Gate, heading into the city centre, with the lifesize statue in the foreground. Photo by Kiran Parmar, sourced with permission.
