October 31, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Festival of the Chariots on August 3rd

festival of the chariots
Photo courtesy of Young Grasshopper

From the Argonaut:

The 32nd annual Festival of the Chariots, a Hare Krishna celebration with food, entertainment, and exhibits, will return to Venice Beach Sunday, August 3rd. Each year, a procession marches from Santa Monica accompanied by three towering red floats — devotions to the deities of ancient India — that end up on Venice Beach for an afternoon celebration.

The procession begins at 10 a.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica. Marchers end up near Ocean Front Walk and Windward Avenue in Venice, where the afternoon festivities begin.

Admission is free, and the public is invited to join the parade.

The event is organized each year by a West Los Angeles-based group of Krishna devotees, the Los Angeles Chapter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Most recognizable are the festival’s three large red floats — nearly 50 feet high — devoted to Krishna deities, which paraders carry from Santa Monica to Venice.

Members of the crowd will use ropes that are attached to the side of the floats to pull them along the route and down Ocean Front Walk.

The floats have large red cloth canopies that are emblazoned with Sanskrit inscriptions and drawings based on Vedas scripture. They are decorated with fresh flowers, flags and banners.

Crowds of dancers, singers and beach-goers typically walk alongside the floats.

Within the floats are wooden carvings of Krishna deities.

The three floats contain carvings of Lord Jagannath, his sister deity Lord Subhrada and his brother deity Lord Balarama.

The hand-pulled chariots make their way south on Main Street in Santa Monica, then head west on Rose Avenue in Venice and finally are steered left onto Ocean Front Walk and proceed south to the heart of Venice Beach near the ocean end of Windward Avenue.

Once it reaches Venice, the festival will feature a free feast (20,000 plates prepared in the Krishna tradition) and three stages of live entertainment that includes drummers, sword fighters, Indian dance performances, drama and “mantra rock.”

The event will also have information booths on Hare Krishna traditions and beliefs as well as Indian art and culture.

There will be exhibits on yoga and meditation, reincarnation, spirituality, vegetarianism and animal rights, and children’s games and gift booths will be set up.

The idea for the Venice/Santa Monica Festival of the Chariots is based on an ancient festival that takes place annually in the Indian holy town of Jagannatha Puri.

The festival is a celebration of Indian Vedas scripture and the ancient Indian god Lord Jagannath.

Each year in India, the festival attracts massive numbers of pilgrims, and organizers compare the festival to the Kumbha Mela.

The local Festival of the Chariots is seen by an estimated 50,000 people each year, according to organizers.

Information, (310) 836-4342.

Related Posts

10 Reasons Why Players Prefer to Use Crypto When iGaming in California

September 1, 2024

September 1, 2024

As online gaming continues to evolve, players are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies as their payment method of choice. In California,...

Is California Going to Legalize Gambling in 2024/2025?

June 5, 2024

June 5, 2024

The issue of gambling legalization in California has been a topic of debate for many years. As the largest state...

Los Angeles Experience Gifts for People Who Don’t Want More Clutter

May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

Just like you, most gift recipients in Los Angeles don’t want more stuff. The Los Angeles experience gifts on this...

California: Pioneering the Future of Online and Digital Payments

January 11, 2024

January 11, 2024

In the fast-paced digital economy of the 21st century, California has emerged as a powerhouse in the realm of online...

A Guide to the Current Gambling Situation in Canada

January 1, 2024

January 1, 2024

For centuries, gambling has woven itself into the fabric of human culture; in recent years–marking an era where evolution pervades...

Smart Strategies to Save Money in Your Entertainment Budget

December 30, 2023

December 30, 2023

Many individuals and families in today’s fast-paced world share a common goal: finding ways to save money. The entertainment budget...

California’s top sports teams.

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

California is known worldwide for a multitude of exciting things. They’re known for their incredible beaches, glorious sunshine, and fabulous...

Your Lucky Numbers: Six Tips Towards Lottery Success

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Have you ever wondered how people win money from the lottery? They may not always hit the jackpot, but they...

Five different ways to unwind.

October 1, 2023

October 1, 2023

Modern life is always busy and it can feel like your to-do list is never ending. When you’re not working,...

Over Half of Short-Term Rentals Advertised in LA Don’t Comply With City’s Home Sharing Ordinance

April 4, 2023

April 4, 2023

Better Neighbors LA report highlights the inadequacies of enforcement measures for short-term rentals in Los Angeles, calling for increased regulation...

Venice Beach Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested in West Virginia

December 22, 2022

December 22, 2022 1

Brandon Manyo Dixon arrest in West Virginia By Sam Catanzaro A man has been arrested for the attempted murder of...

The Current Gambling Situation in California

December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

Here’s what to know about everything from online casinos to betting in the state. In the U.S., gambling is a...

Cancer Cartel Provides Financial Help To Cancer Patients

November 16, 2022

November 16, 2022 2

Cancer Cartel is helping cancer patients focus on their treatment, not the financial stress of living with a diagnosis. Learn...

100 Miles of Bus-Only Lanes Within Five Years on City Council Plans

October 17, 2022

October 17, 2022

L.A’s public transportation network is known for being slow due to traffic congestion. A new motion by L.A. City Council...

Comments
Leave a Reply