Hindu celebration will see a “chariot” festival in the city centre on Saturday

6953380-largeThe Piazza will come alive this weekend for the Rathayatra Hindu celebration.

The Rathayatra Chariot Festival is an annual Hindu event and celebrates the Lord Krishna.

To mark the event, there will be a procession in the city centre at 12 noon on Saturday, heading around the city centre and finishing with a festival at the Big Screen.

According to the Hindu scripture, every year, Lord Jagannath, with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra go on vacation, travelling on grand chariots, from his temple in Puri, to his garden palace in the countryside.

The English word ‘Juggernaut’ has its origins in the festival.

The event is being jointly supported by Plymouth City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, and Plymouth Community Homes.

Councillor Peter Smith, deputy leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “As part of our ambition for Plymouth to be a Welcoming City we are very happy to support this important annual event for the local community.

“The event is open to everyone and we hope the event is as well attended and supported as it has been in previous years.”

Source: The Herald