Rathayatra London in Trafalgar Square

Last updated 30 July 2019

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Rathayatra London

The Rathayatra festival is held in many different cities around Europe. The London Rathayatra is held in the historical and gorgeous Trafalgar Square.

The London Rathayatra festival showcases three chariots with deities on display, offers a performance stage, a food stand serving tasty free vegetarian meals, a water stand with free water, and lots of other promotional and sales stands. For example, you could pick up a recipe book for a donation from one of the stands.

At the festival you can hear kirtan and bhajan songs being sang, see lots of beautiful and colourful outfits and pick up some great vibes.

The Rathayatra Procession

The colourful, vibrant, traffic stopping, jaw dropping, energised London procession started in Hyde Park at noon and paraded via Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square, reaching Trafalgar Square for approximately 2pm.

People pulled the chariots by ropes and danced on the streets.

London Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glories to the chanting of Hare Krishna mantra or Kris...https://t.co/9D4yA1dtWupic.twitter.com/mP6EjoeD38

— Dandavats.com (@dandavats_com) June 19, 2017

Looks fun....#Rathayatra #RathayatraLondon #RathaJatra#RathaJatraLondonpic.twitter.com/xLp49IG0zE

— Interfaith Matters (@__Interfaith__) July 12, 2016

Rathayatra in Trafalgar Square of London

In Trafalgar Square the chariots remained on display for the remainder of the day. There you can also enjoy a stage with musical performances, as well as various stalls.

Everyone is offered an opportunity to feast on free lunch - the food is traditional Indian and its vegetarian food. Free water is available at a different stall, which goes down a treat on a hot summer's day. Mind though, the free water gets over quite soon, so if you think you might miss this offer, carry your own.

Some of the most memorable elements of the festival are the vibrancy of the people, the efforts some people make to dress up, and generally the good vibes.

The festival attracts religious devotees as well as those who just wanted to experience and sample a different culture.

What is Rathayatra?

Rathayatra is a Hindu festival celebrated all over the world. During the festival a grand procession takes places where the deities of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra are paraded in super-sized carts that are pulled by hand. Procession is followed by a celebration feast where one can sample dance, music, food, books and more.

Can anyone participate in the Rathayatra festival?

Rathayatra London is an all-inclusive festival that welcomes religious devotees as well as those looking to experience and enjoy something different.

No doubt some of the unsuspecting tourists visiting the famous Trafalgar Square for sightseeing were also drawn into this vibrant festival. Some visitors were in for a treat they couldn’t have imagined.

Video: Ratha Yatra - London