COMMUNITY

Dancing in the Streets

Festival of the Chariots returns to the Westside with a vibrant celebration

By Kamala Kirk

After a two-year hiatus, the annual Festival of the Chariots was back in full force on Aug. 7 in Santa Monica and Venice. The Hindu parade and celebration celebrates the Hindu god Vishnu’s triumphant return to his hometown of Mathura nearly 5,000 years ago. “The excitement of walking and dancing the parade route, the same parade that we created from scratch some 46 years ago, made us feel like children, we were so glad it was really happening again after several years of the pandemic,” said Karuna Dharini Dasi, a communications organizer for the event. Sponsored by the ISKCON Los Angeles New Dvaraka Temple, the parade started at 10 a.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, making its way down Main Street before heading to the ocean, where participants and spectators continued down the milelong boardwalk to the Venice Beach pavilion. The family-friendly event went on until 6 p.m. and featured live music, dancing, tents with displays and information, activities, and a free vegetarian feast. “Our commitment to holding the Festival of the Chariots is such that during the void of no festivals, when gathering in crowds was not possible, we held a mini-version of the parade in the neighborhood of our Hare Krishna community," Dasi said. "We pulled one chariot up and down the block. Only drive-by guests were allowed, and there were a lot of masks and hand goop! This year we are back to normal and we were able to serve out several thousand plates of free food and greet the public at the festival site all day with our tents, exhibits and music. We are so glad it is possible to serve the community again in this way.” People prepare to pull the first chariot out onto the street, officially starting the Festival of the Chariots.

A group of girls leads the parade in dancing to Kirtan music.

Crowds gathered as the parade made its way down Main Street. Jeevika Bhat performs a traditional dance.

Govinda Datta Das from Temple Bahjong Group performs some Kirtan songs. Lane and Passia Abraham Cook pose for a portrait during the event.

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