Philadelphia Ratha Yatra & Festival of India

The Philadelphia Ratha-Yatra Festival strives to bring all residents of the Philadelphia area together to remember, serve, and love the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To do this, this ancient festival will hold a parade of large colorful chariots pulled by the participants and accompanied by the chanting of the Holy Names of God and dancing in ecstasy. The parade will be followed by a cultural presentation with transcendental music, discussion, drama, and a vegetarian feast.

This year, Parade of Chariots will begin at 12 noon near Love Park in Center City Philadelphia at 16th and Ben Franklin Parkway. It will proceed from there down the Ben Franklin Parkway to Eakin's Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Arts where the Festival of India will be held. Included in the parade will be a Large Garbha dance Ensemble, lila characters in costume, kirtan chanters and dancers, loving devotees pulling the huge chariot of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, Lady Subhadra and Srila Prabhupada

The Festival of India will begin at 1 PM at Eakin's Oval in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum. It will include a free vegan and vegetarian feast, devotional and contemporary musical performances, Indian classical dance performances, drama, booths recounting the philosophy of reincarnation, Bhagavad-Gita, Yoga, the Hare Krishna Movement, Indian clothing, Sumptuous Vegetarian Cuisine, cultural gifts, Children's activities, and overall family fun. It will last until 7:00 pm.

Please join us for this event and become part of the huge procession accompanying the chariots providing music, tumultuous playing of drums, dancing and transcendental activities.

Ratha Yatra Trailer 2011:

Festival Highlights:

• FREE VEGAN & VEGETARIAN FEAST
• Devotional Bhajans & Kirtan by HG Amala Kirtan Prabu & team.
• Yoga of Comedy by HG Yadunatha Prabhu
• Drama by Nila Madhava & team
• Indian Classical Group Dance by Viji Rao and team.
• Chenda (Kerala Cultural Mrdanga) demonstration.
• Indian Classical Odissi Dance by Shibani Patnaik
• Multi-Media Presentation - Movie - Changing Bodies / Journey of the Soul
• Workshops in the workshop tents
• Indian Classical Bharatnatyam Dance by Madhavi Devi
• Mantra meditation & Kirtan Yoga
• Improvisational comedy
• Interactional Bhagavad Gita