Festival of Chariots brings colour, charity and joy to city’s streets

MBOMBELA - Shoppers at the city’s Promenade Centre were given a joyous display of psychedelic colours, traditional music, energised dance and rhythmic chanting when the Hare Krishna Festival of Chariots set off on its annual parade through town on Saturday.

“Also known as Ratha Yatra or the Cart Festival, it is a cultural event promoting love, joy, singing and dancing of the highest form. It is celebrated across the world,” said the organiser, Mahesh Srini.

“The original festival was held in Jagannath Puri, India, and remains one of the world’s largest Mardi Gras festivals,” he said.

“A special thanks to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and our big-hearted sponsors and selfless volunteers who made this such a special occasion.”

Acts of generosity and kindness are a central tenet of Hare Krishna practice, and devotees of Lord Krishna in Mbombela distributed nearly 1 000 plates of biryani, soji dessert and juice to the public on Saturday.

The ultimate goal for Hare Krishnas is a transcendental, loving relationship with Lord Krishna. According to the 500-yearold faith, ‘God is everything and everything is God’.

Radha and Mahesh Srini spent many months organising this year’s Festival of Chariots.

Brenda Roopai brought colour, food and love to Mbombela.

The Festival of Chariots’ band of musicians saw people dancing and singing at the Promenade Centre.

Priyadasa Prabha attend to the deities.