Mission Statement

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.

Festival Information

The Parade of Chariots will begin at 12 noon from 16th and Cherry Street (Near Love Park/City Hall). 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 Krishna's Bhakti Fest/Festival of India will begin at 1 PM at Eakins 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.

• FREE VEGAN & VEGETARIAN FEAST
• Devotional Bhajans & Kirtan
• Yoga of Comedy
• Indian Classical Bharatnatyam Dance
• Indian Classical Odissi Dance
• Multi-Media Presentation - Movie - Changing Bodies / Journey of the Soul
• Spiritual music for Children
• Workshops in the workshop tents
• Mantra meditation & Kirtan Yoga
• Improvisational comedy
• Interactional Bhagavad Gita
• Inspirational Spiritual Discourse
  

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