Hindu community celebrates faith with colourful chariot procession

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This article was published 04/08/2024 (793 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Led by dancers, hundreds of devotees of Lord Krishna chanted and sang Sunday as they used ropes to pull a large decorated chariot on St. Anne’s Road.

The event, called Rath Yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, was sponsored by the Manitoba chapter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The procession — the first time it has taken place on a city street in Winnipeg and featured such a large chariot — travelled south 1.5 kilometres from the Hindu Society of Manitoba before returning there so worshippers could enjoy a vegetarian feast.

On the chariot, which was loaned from the Calgary ISKCON chapter, were priests and images of Lord Jagannath, also known as Lord Krishna, and his siblings Lord Baladeva and Lady Subhadra. The chariot was adorned with colourful drapes, flowers and ornaments.

For Komal Sharma, who helped organize the event, the celebration was like Easter for Christians.

“It’s a feast of devotion,” she said. “We pull the chariot out of love.”

Along with that, it’s a means of public outreach by providing an opportunity for the general public to witness the procession “and learn about the teachings of Lord Jagannath,” Sharma said, along with promoting “awareness and understanding of the spiritual traditions and beliefs of the devotees.”

It also showcased the “rich cultural heritage of Vedic traditions and practices,” including the music, dance and art associated with the worship of Lord Krishna, she said, noting much smaller chariots were pulled through city parks or around the Hindu Society parking lot before this year.

Vishwamvhar Kripa Das is president of ISKCON Manitoba. For him, the event was an opportunity for devotees to show community spirit and unity, as well as a way for devotees to express their desire for peace and harmony in Canada and around the world.

Dancer Ikankshi Prabhakar participated because it was a way to show her devotion to Lord Krishna and to thank him for the blessings she has received.

“Dancing is my way to please him,” she said.

Payal Pardasani, who was also dancing, said it was a way to show thanks and to “let others know about our culture.”

Before the procession, worshippers participated in a service during which musicians led them in chanting Hare Krishna. They also heard from Bhaktimarga Swami of Toronto, also known as the “walking monk” for his pilgrimages across Canada.

The Swami, who is visiting various Canadian cities as part of Rath Yatra celebrations, said what people were doing through the festival in Winnipeg showed how humans are “more than just a body” and that many of society’s problems can be solved through increased spirituality.

“For many of the issues in Canada, the answers can be found in spirituality,” he said, adding that facet of life is “often ignored.”

Devotees also received a message from NDP MLA Diljeet Brar, who was in attendance with NDP MLAs Mike Moyes, David Pankratz and Jennifer Chen.

Brar noted how the celebration illustrated “how we are connected to the creator and each other, beyond our differences” and for how it promoted “peace, love and harmony.”

Noting that there are many different faith groups in Manitoba, he went on to say that “we are like a garden of different colours… that’s why Canada and Manitoba look so beautiful.”

The Festival of Chariots originated 5,000 years ago in the Indian city of Jagannatha Puri. It is held annually in summer months around the world to honour Lord Jagannatha, also known to devotees as the Lord of the Universe. The first Festival of Chariots was held in Winnipeg in 2003.

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