49th Annual SF Ratha Yatra - Festival of the Chariots and Parade

SAN FRANCISCO - July 31, 2015 - PRLog -- What:  Ratha Yatra (Festival of the Chariots and Parade), one of India’s most ancient and most popular festivals, a sacred day for Hindus worldwide, will be celebrated with a parade at Golden Gate Park and will culminate in a festival and free vegetarian feast.  All are welcome and admission is free.

Free Vegetarian Feast for thousands of people
Free Entertainment
Free Admission (Everyone is welcome)

When:  Sunday, August 23, 2015, 11 am

Where:  Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - Transverse and John F. Kennedy Drive

Who:  Thousands of Indian and American members, guests, and spectators from the San Francisco Bay Area near and far.

Special:  Very Visual event with (3) colorful floats, traditional costumes, performances of classical Indian music, dance and dramas, Vaishnava Hindu rituals, activities for kids, and a free vegetarian feast served.

For more information about the Festival of the Chariots and Parade or to make a contribution, please contact 707.426.4672 or visit www[dot]iskconberkeley[dot]net. Federal Tax ID number is 94-2376368.


On Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 at 11am, thousands of people will gather at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for the 49th Annual Festival of the Chariots and Parade hosted by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).  The procession of colorful chariots begins promptly at 12:00pm from Transverse and John F. Kennedy Dr., and will proceed east to Sharon Meadows for the Festival.  The celebration continues in the park with the Festival of India, a traveling exhibition of India’s spirituality and culture.

The festival site features a main stage, showcasing Indian cultural and spiritual performances by professional artists and local community groups. Of note, there will be traditional Indian music (bhajans) performances, Bharat-natyam (classical Indian dance) performances, and performances. There will be displays of traditional Indian handicrafts, children's playground and carousel ride, and books on bhakti-yoga. Visitors can explore the varied spiritual and cultural exhibitions, and enjoy a complimentary multi-course vegetarian feast. The public is welcome and admission is free.

Ratha Yatra Festival, Background:

The festival of Ratha Yatra has been celebrated since ancient times, as one of the most important yearly events in the Vaishnava-Hindu faith. Vaishnavism, the worship of Lord Krishna, is one of the principle branches within the broad Hindu tradition. Vaishnavas are monotheists, and believe Lord Krishna to be the same God worshiped by Christians, Jews and Muslims.

In Jagannath Puri, the deity worshiped in the main temple is an image of Lord Krishna, and is called Jagannath (which means “Lord of the Universe”). He is worshiped along with his brother, Balarama, and sister, Subhadra, in the main shrine. Every summer, at the beginning of the monsoon season, the three (3) deities are taken out of the temple amidst great fanfare, and are placed on bright and colorful chariots. Thousands of worshipers throng to the city and pull the chariots with love and devotion, accompanied by joyful music, religious chants, and dancing.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement inaugurated the first United States version of this ancient Indian parade in San francisco. Since then, it has been celebrated annually and has become a San Francisco summer tradition. This festival blends the splendor of a millennia-old celebration with the excitement of a parade in San Francisco's world famous Golden Gate Park.

Don’t miss this event as thousands of people, from various walks of life bring the best of the East and West together in a demonstration of universal peace, harmony and goodwill.  For more information go to www[dot]iskconberkeley[dot]net