A Hindu street festival, which has been celebrated in India for almost 5,000 years is coming to Bath on the 1st June. Ratha Yatra, the festival of the chariots, takes place all over the world, and will be observed by millions.
It’s been traditionally celebrated annually in Jagannath Puri, Orissa, where Lord Jagannath along with His sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra is paraded through the streets of the city.
Ashish Rajhansha, a member of the Bath Hindu Community, and one of the organisers of the event, said: “For many Hindus, Lord Jagannath is an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
“This event commemorates the story of Him being paraded through the streets. The huge processions accompanying the chariots play music, devotional songs and instruments.
“Here in Bath we’ll be walking through the city with our chariot. Anyone is welcome to come along and take part in this auspicious occasion.”
The event is the third of its kind in the city, with supporters growing each year. Susmita Rajhansha, who has spent several weeks planning the local festival, added;
“A sight of Lord Jagannath on the chariot is considered to be blessing, with many saints, poets and scriptures repeatedly praising the sanctity of this special festival. The significance of the festival is such that even a touch of the chariot or even the ropes with which these are pulled is believed to result in a blessing.”
The first Rath Yatra held outside of India took place in San Francisco in 1967, and was organised by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement.
The Bath festival comes at a time when the local Hindu community continues it’s search for a temple in the city. Launched earlier this year, the campaign is being led by B&NES Councillor Nathan Hartley, who is the authority’s lead member for interfaith dialogue and liaison with faith groups.
Nathan said: “Faith is an integral part of British culture and tradition. The way people live their lives, and the values they follow are often shaped by religious belief.
“Bath and North East Somerset, just like the rest of the UK, is multi-faith and is home to people from a variety of backgrounds. It’s for this reason that we should do everything we can to promote religious and cultural freedom.
“Christians and Muslims have opportunities for collective worship, we now need to open this up for our Hindu residents.”
Anyone who has any property available can contact Cllr Hartley on 07737 192 156 or email [email protected].
Bath Ratha Yatra will take place on Saturday 1st June, starting at 12.30 pm at the top of Midland Road/Upper Bristol Road junction with a traditional Hindu coconut ceremony. The procession will run through the city, around Kingsmead Square, finishing with prasad and a celebration in Victoria Park later in the afternoon.