For the first time, Ratha Yatra, the Festival of Chariots, will be held in Downtown Dallas, joining other global city centers like New York City’s Fifth Avenue and London’s Piccadilly Circus in celebrating this event. The event will bring a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and spirituality to the Dallas Arts District in the city’s center. The parade procession begins at the Dallas Museum of Art and culminates at Klyde Warren Park where the festival will continue until 4 pm.

Highlights of the festival include hundreds of festival-goers, pilgrims and faith leaders who will hand-pull the colorful chariot carrying the sacred deities of Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama along Flora Street to Klyde Warren Park. Next to the chariot, hundreds more will dance enthusiastically while singing sacred mantras and playing traditional musical instruments.

After the procession, families and guests can enjoy cultural and educational exhibits that reveal the spiritual heart of India. The park will feature a main stage with kirtan (musical mantra meditation) and bharat-natyam (classical Indian dance), plus booths featuring traditional crafts, vegetarian cooking demonstrations, cultural displays, Indian dress-up, face painting, mehendi (henna tattoos) and more. A free vegetarian feast will be served to all, and varieties of ethnic vegetarian food will be available for purchase.