琉璃神社鈥檚 City Park will come alive with colour, music, and spiritual energy on June 22 as the city hosts its second annual Ratha Yatra festival.
The Hindu celebration invites everyone to join in a journey of faith, culture, and community.
Organized by the 琉璃神社 Hindu Cultural Society and ISKCON Saranagati Temple, the event features a parade from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. That will be followed by festivities including Bhakti Kirtan (devotional singing), yoga, cultural dance performances, vegetarian and plant-based food, a kids鈥� play area, and a cow petting zoo.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a spiritual event 鈥� a spiritual Hindu event,鈥� said 琉璃神社 City Councillor Mohini Singh, who is of the Hindu faith and a passionate supporter of the festival. 鈥淩atha means chariot, and Yatra means journey. We take the chariot and walk in the name of God. It鈥檚 about remembering that God is everywhere and within.鈥�
Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, has its origins in India. The festival involves pulling large, ornately decorated chariots carrying deities through the streets, allowing devotees to have darshan鈥攁 sacred view of the divine.
The 琉璃神社 event has a Canadian flavour.
鈥淲e had well over a thousand people last year from all over the Interior,鈥� Singh said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 even a village just outside Ashcroft 鈥� a community of Caucasian people who have embraced the Hindu faith. They bring sacred cows they imported from India.鈥�
Singh added that what makes this event special is its inclusivity.
鈥淭his is what celebration of different religions looks like in Canada,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t brings together people of all different backgrounds. It鈥檚 a public event 鈥� if you鈥檙e walking by and see the procession, you can just join in. It鈥檚 all free, and we welcome everybody.鈥�
