The annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, is considered one of the biggest Hindu festivals in the world.
Millions of people throng the Indian beach town from June 20 to take part in the nine-day festivities, whose main draw is the pulling of three chariots carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath (another form of Lord Krishna) and his siblings – elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra.
In Singapore, a smaller version of the Chariot Festival will held at the Yishun Stadium on June 30 (Sunday).
Organised by the International Sri Krishna Mandir (ISKM), which has a temple in Geylang, it will have music and dance and a free five-course vegetarian meal for all participants.
According to the ISKM, the celebrations in Singapore began in 1993 with about 100 devotees. Since they were moved to stadiums in 2006, the number has grown exponentially.
“Since we are consumed by material pursuits, we have banished Lord Krishna from our hearts,” said ISKM secretary Tattavit Dasa. “The pulling of the chariot signifies the invitation to the Lord to return to our hearts again.”
