Jagannath Rath Yatra - Festival of Chariots

About Ratha Yatra

Ratha Yatra or the Festival of chariots is a joyous event celebrated for thousands of years in the Indian holy city of Jagannatha Puri. Another name for Lord Krishna, Jagannatha refers to the ecstatic form of the Lord with large eyes and rugged features who is carried on a gigantic chariot during this festival. The word Jagannatha is made up of two words Jaga which means Universe and Nath means Lord which is ‘Lord of Universe’. On the day of Rathayatra, Lord Jagannatha is accompanied by His elder brother Lord Baladeva and His sister, Subhadra Maharani.

Significance of Ratha Yatra

The significance of the Ratha Yatra is immense for a person, who longs for spiritual merit and final liberation. It is believed that anyone who pulls the rope linked to the chariots of the deities and helps others also in doing so or merely touches the rope or chariots, gets the merit of several penances. There is a belief that pulling the chariots of their God during the procession is a way of engaging in the pure devotion of the Lord and it also destroys the sins which might be committed either knowingly or unknowingly.

Ratha Yatra in Western World

Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON had a great desire to celebrate this festival gorgeously in every city of the world and he inspired and guided his disciples to make this annual festival well-known in every part of the world. From the very beginning of his life, at the age of 6 years, Srila Prabhupada used to conduct Ratha-yatra and distribute prasadam to all the children/people taking part in the festival. What once had been a childhood activity later became a world-wide celebration due to the efforts of Srila Prabhupada who vigorously preached across the world about the importance of this festival.

Ratha Yatra in East London

Like every year, even this year in East London we have received a golden opportunity to celebrate this blissful Ratha Yatra festival. This is possible only by the mercy of Lord Jagannatha. There is lots of planning and effort involved to ensure that the festival is well organized and everyone feels blissful at the end of this beautiful festival. Devotees across the East London Congregation tirelessly plan and engage themselves in various services of Ratha Yatra.

Every Year, there are 2000+ devotees who come from London and other parts to participate in this East London Ratha Yatra which begins at the Redbridge Townhall Centre and the Lordships finally reach to Valentines Park, Ilford. There are different tents such as the Kids tent, Prasadam tent, VIP tent, Congregation tent, Meditation tent, etc. etc which are set up and hold different activities for all the age groups. The Main tent is the centre of all these tents and houses different cultural programs, rocking kirtans, drama and much more activities. Prasadam is served to more than 1500+ devotees every year.

We heartily would like to invite you, your family members and friends to be a part of this grand and joyous festival.

Ratha Yatra in Southend (Essex)

East London has been organising Ratha Yatra in Iford year after year, but this year the Lord of the Universe has decided to shower His mercy in Essex. So, the East London community are organising the first Ratha Yatra in Southend, Essex for the pleasure of the Lordships.

We would love to serve the Essex community by conducting the Ratha procession, various cultural events, Prasadam distribution and many more activities.

Ratha Yatra is a major event which can be conducted successfully only by team effort and generous contributions either through volunteering or sponsorships. If you are interested to support us in our first endeavour in Essex to spread this wonderful tradition then kindly donate to become a Sevaka of the Lord of the Universe.

We are delighted to invite you, your family members and friends to be a part of this first Ratha Yatra festival.

Donate for Ratha Yatra and Become a Sevaka

As part of this Ratha Yatra festival there are lots of Seva opportunities that everyone could participate in and receive unlimited blessings from the Supreme Lord. Any small service rendered for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord is always eternal and never lost.

If you would like to donate from any of the listed categories please click Donate Now and become a Sevaka of the Supreme Lord.