49TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE CHARIOTS-->Venice Beach-->FREE EVENT/FREE PARKING!!!

Greetings from Ra,

Looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon in endless SUMMER 2025 (August)???

Why not join us for the 49TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE CHARIOTS???
Los Angeles Festival of the Chariots, also known as Ratha Yatra, is a vibrant and joyous celebration.

This annual event, held in the heart of Los Angeles, features the grand procession of elaborately decorated chariots carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

Accompanied by traditional music, dancing, and chanting,
devotees and visitors pull the chariots through the streets. The festival also includes cultural performances, delicious vegetarian cuisine,
and a marketplace showcasing Indian arts and crafts. It's a unique opportunity for people of all backgrounds to experience
the rich cultural heritage and spiritual essence of India.

ITINERARY:

1. Meeting location and time:

Meeting time: Saturday August 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM PST

Meet at the entrance to Belles Beach House Restaurant at address:

Belles Beach House Restaurant
24 Windward Ave.
Venice, CA 90291

Some Meetup members may be running late, so we can wait 15-20 minutes for Meetup members that may be running late.

The Meetup members may chat, mingle, socialize, and get to know each other better.

Activities:

The festival site at Venice Beach features a stage with cultural performances and kirtan, a free feast, Govinda's Gift Shop,
plenty of prasadam (sanctified food) offerings, and activities for the children.

Attendees can enjoy captivating performances of traditional Indian dance and music, participate in interactive workshops, and explore a bustling marketplace offering a variety of arts, crafts, and literature. The festival site also includes numerous food stalls serving delicious vegetarian cuisine, providing a feast for the senses.

The Los Angeles Festival of Chariots event, also known as Ratha Yatra, began in 1977. The Jaganatha Ratha Yatra is the oldest street festival in the world, originating from the Indian costal town of Jagannatha Puri, India.

Along with a crowd of over one million people, the chariots in Jagannatha Puri are pulled using ropes to its final destination.

Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) took the Ratha Yatra festival all over the world, with the festival now taking place in cities all across the globe.
The inaugural event in Los Angeles took place along Venice Beach, attracting a diverse crowd of participants and onlookers.

Over the years, it has grown in scale and popularity, becoming a significant cultural event in the city. The festival features the traditional chariot procession, cultural performances, musical kirtans (devotional songs), free vegetarian feasts, and a vibrant marketplace offering arts, crafts, and literature.

The Festival of the Chariots in Los Angeles not only honors ancient traditions but also promotes messages of peace, unity, and spiritual well-being, drawing thousands of attendees from various backgrounds each year.

How to find us:

Meeting time: 11:30 AM PST

Meet at the entrance to Belles Beach House Restaurant at address:

Belles Beach House Restaurant
24 Windward Ave.
Venice, CA 90291

It is ok if you are running late.

You can call me at 530 355 2320 if you have difficulty locating the Meetup group, I will help guide you to the Meetup group.

I will be wearing a light green cap and a light blue backpack.

Ra