The Philadelphia Ratha-Yatra Festival strives to bring all residents of the Philadelphia area together to remember, serve, and love the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To do this, this ancient festival will hold a parade of large colorful chariots pulled by the participants and accompanied by the chanting of the Holy Names of God and dancing in ecstasy. The parade will be followed by a cultural presentation with transcendental music, discussion, drama, and a vegetarian feast.
This year, Parade of Chariots will begin at 12 noon near Love Park in Center City Philadelphia at 16th and Ben Franklin Parkway. It will proceed from there down the Ben Franklin Parkway to Eakin's Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Arts . Included in the parade will be a Large Garbha dance Ensemble, lila characters in costume, kirtan chanters and dancers, loving devotees pulling the huge chariot of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva, Lady Subhadra and Srila Prabhupada.
Festival Highlights:
FREE VEGAN & VEGETARIAN FEAST
Devotional Bhajans & Kirtan by HG Badahari Prabhu
Yoga of Comedy by HG Yadunatha Prabhu
Multi-Media Presentation - Movie - Changing Bodies / Journey of the Soul
Spiritual music for Children by Kaleidescope
Workshops in the workshop tents
Mantra meditation & Kirtan Yoga
Improvisational comedy
Interactional Bhagavad Gita
Inspirational Spiritual Discourse By HG Ravindra Svarupa Maharaj
Parade Start Location: At the Intersection of 16th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway near Love Park/City Hall.
Parade End Location: Eakin's Oval (In Front of Philadelphia Art Museum)
From South Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington Take I-95 North. Exit onto I-676 West. Follow directions from I-676 (see below).
From NY, North Jersey Take NJTP to Exit 4 (Route 73). Go one mile on Route 73 North and take the exit for Route 38 West. Take 38 West towards Philadelphia to route 30 West (follow signs for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge). Go over the bridge and follow the signs for I-676 West. Follow directions from I-676 (see below).
From I-676 (Vine Street Expressway) Take I-676. Take Broad Street/Central Philadelphia exit onto N 15th St.
From Harrisburg Valley Forge, King of Prussia Take PA Turnpike/I-76 East to Philadelphia. Merge on to I-676 E/US-30E. Take Broad Street/Central Philadelphia exit onto N 15th St.
