A popular Hindu street festival, which has been celebrated in India for almost 5,000 years, is returning to the City of Bath on Saturday 30th May.
Rathayatra, 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 in Orissa, India, where Lord Jagannath along with His sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra are 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, instruments, and devotional songs, including the infamous Hare Krishna mantra.
“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 fifth of its kind in the city, with up to 300 people expected to take part this year including Hindus, Hare Krishna devotees, members of other faiths, and the general public.
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 Rathayatra held outside of India took place in San Francisco in 1967, and was organised by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which is more commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement.
The Bath festival comes at a time when the local Hindu community continues to grow.
With almost 400 members across Bath & North East Somerset, the 2011 census marked a significant increase in the number of people professing to identify as ‘Hindu’ or as a followers of the Hindu religion.
The event is being organised by the Bath Hindu Community Interest Company, in conjunction with ISKCON Festivals UK, and is part of the build up to the 50th anniversary of the Hare Krishna movement.
Bath Rathayatra will take place on Saturday 30th May, starting at 12.30pm 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 prasadam (blessed food) and a celebration in Royal Victoria Park later in the afternoon.
