Carnival of Chariots

Annual carnival parade organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Three 40-foot colourful chariots are drawn by hand from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square, accompanied by a procession of floats, singers, musicians, and dancers in traditional Indian and fancy dress. In the square there's music, drama, traditional Indian dance, displays and presentations of Indian philosophy and spirituality as well as free Indian vegetarian food. The 'Ratha Yatra' parade, as it is traditionally known, recreates a 5,000-year-old celebration observed in the ancient holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India, thus making it the oldest street festival in the world.