The Festival of Chariots, or Rathayatra, originated in India over 2000 years ago, in the Eastern state of Orissa. It is a grand procession with much fanfare – colours, music and an atmosphere of peace and positivity. It symbolizes a procession of peace and cohesion – bringing people of all backgrounds together for the one purpose of pulling a royal chariot through the streets. Atop the chariot sits the Lord of The Universe, who comes out to greet the people of the street. This festival is unique in that it delivers to the people. Rather than people coming to the festival, the festival comes to the people.
The first chariot parade outside of India was held in San Francisco in 1967. A few young men inspired by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada—founder of ISKCON – created a makeshift chariot on the back of their ute. The festival captured the hearts of the Swami’s followers. The following years they began constructing more traditional chariots: large wooden structures decorated with canopies and flags.
Since this time, the Festival of Chariots has been celebrated all over the world from New York to Paris, Denmark to London, Rome to Moscow, and has grown to become one of the world’s most captivating spiritual events.
