The 42nd Annual Festival of the Chariots is set for Sun. Aug. 5, 2017. 

An ancient celebration, the Festival of the Chariots is sometimes referred to as Ratha Yatra, literally meaning Chariot Festival.  Ratha Yatra originated 5,000 years ago in India, on the East Coast state of Orrisa, in a city called Jagannatha Puri..

The Festival of the Chariots includes a free feast for thousands, free entertainment and exhibits and booths all bringing together the finest in Indian culture. The festival celebrates Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe, and is put on by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The Festival of the Chariots is now performed in every country across the world and dates back thousands of years to Jagannatha Puri, India.

For the festivities; there are three chariots, one for each of the three deities; Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra. The canopied chariots are decorated with flowers and balloons and are pulled with long, thick ropes by hundreds of people who ecstatically dance while chanting sacred mantras.,

EVENT DETAILS:  The Festival of the Chariots commences at 10:00 AM Sunday at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and proceeds south on Main St, with three fully decorated four-story tall chariots leading a colorful parade toward the Ocean Front Walk Plaza at Venice Beach. The festival will arrive at Venice Beach at noon..http://festivalofchariots.com

View Festival of Chariot photos by Venice Paparazzi

For more info:  festivalofchariots.com

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