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Thousands Celebrate Krishna Festival in Reading

Thousands turned up for a free food and meditation festival and procession in Reading on Saturday, July 25.

The Rathayatra Festival, organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) - the Hare Krishnas - featured a chariot procession carrying three deities: Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra.

The day finished in Forbury Gardens with free hot vegetarian food, meditation, traditional dance and stalls.

Councillor Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley) and the Mayor of Reading attended.

Organiser Pratamapaya Nitai Dasa said it was a huge success: they served over 4,500 free hot vegetarian meals, handed out 2,500 free fruits and saw about 7,000 people on the day.

The Hare Krishnas will take Rathayatra to Newbury (Victoria Park) on Saturday 8 August and Basingstoke (War Memorial Park) on Saturday 29 August, both 12pm to 5pm.

ISKCON Reading also meets at the Biscuit Factory on Tuesday evenings, 7pm to 9.30pm.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter

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