EUROPE
June 22, 2004 VNN8652
Festival Transforms London Skyline
BY RADHA MOHAN DAS
 LONDON, ENGLAND, Jun 22 (VNN) — Over 15,000 people participated in the 36th London "Ratha-yatra Carnival of Chariots" last Sunday 20th of June.
The London skyline was transformed by three, 40-foot high colourful chariots carrying the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama. The 5000-strong procession wound its way from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square accompanied by floats, singers, musicians, and dancers.
A cultural festival was then put on at Trafalgar Square where Londoners learned how to play Bengali instruments, wear saris and dhotis (Indian dress), discuss spirituality, and browse in the Indian style bazaar. The stage show featured performances by the Nitai Dance group, classical Orissan dance, and devotional music by the Hare Krishna Festival Troupe.
Free Indian vegetarian meals were distributed to all the revellers.
A message of appreciation from Tony Blair Prime Minister was read out on stage, and Atma Singh, policy advisor on Asian affairs, delivered a message from London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
"It was a hugely successful event," says Titiksu Dasa, Co-ordinator of London Carnival of Chariots. "The traditional Rathayatra has three chariots, and we've been holding the festival for 36 years with this very aspiration. This has now been fulfilled and I hope that the Rathayatra Carnival of Chariots gets even bigger and brighter in years to come."
The festival came to London in 1969, brought over by Srila Prabhupada, where it has been faithfully observed every year for the last 36 years attracting more than 15,000 people.
Tony Blair Prime Minister's message for Rathayatra Carnival of Chariots "I am glad to have this opportunity to convey my support for the 36th annual Ratha Yatra Festival and to signal the Government's strong commitment to diversity and the contribution it can make to Britain today. We are determined to see the kind of dynamic society in which people from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds can truly celebrate what we have in common as well as retaining and being proud of our distinctive identities.
"I very much welcome events such as this, which will help us all to celebrate the values and benefits of diversity whilst developing a greater sense of shared values. This festival sees different communities coming together, but also shows the positive expression of belief that is characteristic of the Krishna consciousness movement and of British Hindus more widely."
Your servant
Radha Mohan das
ps Don't forget to visit: www.krishnatemple.com
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