New York Celebrates Festival of the Chariots

"In 1966, Srila Prabhupada, when you had just arrived here in New York from India, you would go alone to Tompkins Square Park and chant Hare Krsna. Now, ten years later, thousands of people have come here to Washington Square Park to hear you." It was Sunday, July 18. Kirtanananda Svami, an early disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, was speaking to his spiritual master at the climax of an event that Srila Prabhupada had made possible. "Actually," Prabhupada explained, "it is Lord Krsna who has made this festival possible. He wants everyone, all over the world, to chant Hare Krsna and be happy."

An estimated ninety thousand people saw the Festival of the Chariots (Ratha-yatra), a transcendental parade that moved down Fifth Avenue from Central Park to the West Village. Many helped pull the three mammoth chariots, with their bright red and yellow canopies and huge wooden wheels. Along with the chanting and dancing devotees there were young people, housewives, and businessmen-all taking part in this commemoration of Lord Krsna's return journey to His beloved Vrndavana.

One business executive who watched the festivities from his office in the World Trade Center commented, "It looked like the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen." At the park, everyone enjoyed Srila Prabhupada's talk and a feast of krsna-prasada, spiritual food.

All three major television networks and the New York Times and Daily News confirmed the festival's success. Ratha-yatra celebrations in eleven other cities (including San Francisco, London, and Paris) met with similar response.