ISKCON's Festival of Chariots took place over the long weekend on Durban's beachfront bringing with it a hive of activity and colour Pictures: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Durban residents came out to enjoy the Festival of Chariots.
Image: Supplied
Festival of Chariots was a colourful and spiritual affair.
Image: Supplied
Over the Easter weekend, Durban's North Beach area and promenade transformed into a vibrant tapestry of colour, music, and spirituality as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) hosted its 36th annual Festival of Chariots, also known as Ratha Yatra.
Drawing over 250 000 attendees, the four-day event again showed the city’s rich cultural diversity and the unifying power of devotion.
Central to the festivities was the grand procession of three towering chariots, each approximately 15m high, adorned with vibrant canopies and intricate floral decorations. These chariots carried the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra, and were pulled by enthusiastic devotees through the beachfront promenade.
The festival's cultural tent, accommodating up to 2000 guests, was a hub of artistic expression. Highlights included a fusion of Zulu and Indian dance performances, showcasing the harmonious blend of South Africa's diverse cultures. A particularly captivating segment featured kathak dancers engaging in a dynamic face-off with drummers playing jembe, tabla, and mridanga, enthralling audiences with their synchronised rhythms.