A celebration of faiths at Hindu street festival Rathayatra

imagesA Hindu street festival, of the kind that has been celebrated in India for almost 5,000 years, is returning to Bath next month.

Rathayatra, the festival of the chariots, takes place all over the world and will be observed by millions on Saturday, June 7.

The walking procession is open to all, and is the fourth of its kind in the city, with up to 300 people expected to take part including Hindus, Hare Krishna devotees, and members of other faiths.

The festival comes at a time when the local Hindu community continues to grow, with almost 400 members across the Bath area.

The procession will start at 12.30pm at the Midland Road/Upper Bristol Road junction with a traditional Hindu coconut ceremony. The procession will run through the city, around Kingsmead Square, finishing with food and a celebration in Royal Victoria Park later in the afternoon.

Source: The Bath chronicle