Colorful Hare Krishnas parade through the Grove

The Hare Krishna's are having the Festival of India this weekend and they started off today, with a parade through the Center Grove. There is a festival in Peacock park until 9 pm.


The streets were filled with color as the Ratha Yatra parade made it's way from the Hare Krishna Temple on Virginia and Day to the park.


It started about 10 am with the decoration of the big colorful float. Everyone chipped in as they raised statues, balloons and other items to the top. There was dancing and chanting and finally, they pulled the float out onto the street and it made it's way down Virginia Street.


The drumming and singing could be heard all over the Grove. People stopped on the sidewalks and hung off their condo balconies and enjoyed. People eating at restaurants stopped what they were doing to watch. It was quite intimate and people joined in from the sidelines to sing and dance.


It made a sharp turn at Virginia onto Grand and then down McFarlane to Peacock Park, picking up people along the way, who simply joined in.


The world famous Mayapuris and other well known Kirtaneers will provide entertainment at the park with music, dance, drama, and ecstatic kirtans on the main stage. The Kirtan Festival will take place tomorrow, March 6, from 9 am to 9 pm at the Temple (3220 Virginia Street).


It's a fun two days of exotic entertainment, meditative music, dance and delicious vegetarian cuisine. There are lots of hand-made items being sold at the park, too.


Everyone in the parade was smiling and everyone along the route was, too. We have many more photos at our Facebook page here.