Burlington festival will celebrate ancient traditions from India

The third annual Festival of Chariots, a free, full-day event takes place this Sunday (July 7) in Burlington.

Described by organizers as a festival to “celebrate India’s sacred and vibrant spiritual culture,” the event takes place at Millcroft Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with highlights being the Rathayatra parade.

Other featured activities include live music and well as performances by magicians. There will also be a book fair, face painting, and the serving of vegetarian food.

“A unique feature of the celebration is the Ratha Yatra (Chariot) Parade, the oldest known parade in the world,” organizers said. “A wooden chariot is pulled by hand in a grand procession. All the way through, there is melodic singing and dancing to rhythmic drums and cymbals.”

The event is presented by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) which introduced the Rathayatra festival to the Western world and has been celebrated for centuries in India.

Festival Schedule:

Videos

Read More

• Parade 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: starting at the main parking lot, Millcroft Park.
• Festivities in Millcroft Park 12:15 – 4:30 p.m.

The main attractions include:

• A free plant-based hot meal will be served indiscriminately to more than  600 people.
• Indian and South-East Asian arts & cultural performances: dance, songs, and more will be showcased on the main stage and multiple other tents.