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Rathayatra - meaning festival of chariots, is a cultural celebration that originated in India and is among the oldest festivals in the world. It is celebrated by Krishna devotees all over the world.

Rathayatra in Birmingham

Rathyatra festival in Birmingham

Birmingham's Rathayatra festival is organised every year by ISKCON Birmingham (International Society for Krishna Consciousness') and supported by Birmingham City Council.

The lively cultural street festival takes place in August every year with an energetic procession through the streets of Birmingham city centre, featuring a huge chariot devoted to Lord Krishna decorated with flowers and ornaments pulled by hand.

Hare Krishna became popular in the 70s

Singing, chanting and dancing

The chariot is accompanied by hundreds of Krishna devotees singing, chanting, drums, cymbals, and dancing.

The procession route ends in Victoria Square where there is a delicious free vegetarian prasadam feast, a village of market stalls and lively stage show performances including music, drama and arts throughout the afternoon.

Culture and spirituality

The event gives the public an opportunity to enjoy the spectacle and to also find out more about the culture and spirituality behind the festival and Krishna faith.

Rathayatra in Birmingham

The Rathyatra festival was first introduced into the west in 1967 in San Francisco.

At present in the UK Rathyatra has also become an annual event in London Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Manchester.

See pictures galleries from the Rathyatra festival in Birmingham.

The history of Rathayatra

Rathayatra has been celebrated annually in Jagannatha Puri, India for thousands of years where around two million people attend. Jagannath Puri is steeped in history and tradition both cultural and spiritual and is one of the most visited places in India

Throughout the year Lord Jagannath is worshipped in a temple which is over 200 feet high and which dominates the city of Jagannath Puri.

The inhabitants of Jagannath Puri centre their lives around worshipping Lord Jagannath. Art, dance, music all flourish in Jagannath Puri, and local schools promote
and maintain the traditional practices.

Once a year, Lord Jagannath leaves His temple journey's through the streets in a wooden chariot pulled by devotees. Of all the many annual festivals held for Lord Jagannath, the biggest is the Rathyatra festival (chariot journey).

Rathayatra in Birmingham

Our devotion to Krishna

The Krishna religion was originated in India. The word Krishna means "all-attractive." Devotees of the faith chant Hare Krishna as a way of seeking the Lord Krishna directly.

Some devotees of the Krishna faith wear a forehead mark called a tilak. The mark is made with sacred clay from a holy place in India, and it marks the body as a temple.

Read more about ISKCON in Birmingham