Rath Yatra (Festival of Chariots) 2026
The procession culminates in a free, community festival in the prestigious King George Square. The culture and spirit of life is represented through a variety of artistic forms, free entertainment and healthy vegetarian meals. There is something that reaches out to everyone – crossing all barriers of age, ethnicity, gender and cultural background. It is a celebration of the vibrancy and diversity of Brisbane, organized by volunteers of Hare Krishna Food For Life, the charitable arm of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
WHO WE ARE?
Volunteers from Hare Krishna Food For Life, the charitable branch of ISKCON, organize the Festival of Chariots. The team is experienced and passionate already having facilitated many events in the past in the greater Brisbane community.
Festival of Chariots 2026
During Ratha Yatra - The Festival of Chariots, Lord Jagannatha, Mother Subhadra and Lord Baladeva are so merciful that they come out of the temple to bless the people. Amidst the roaring kirtan, a huge procession is carried out on the roads of Brisbane. The Chariot of the Lords is pulled by thousands of devotees to get the mercy. It is a mesmerising sight and blissful experience not to be missed!
Schedule:
Street parade leaves King George Square at 11:00am
Festival at King George Square from 12:30pm - 3:30pm
From 12:30PM there will be a variety of live music & performances along with delicious free prasadam, a variety of stalls including henna and gopi dots, gifts stall, kids activities and much more!
FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The first chariot parade outside of India was held in San Francisco in 1967. A few young men inspired by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada—founder of ISKCON – created a makeshift chariot on the back of their ute. The festival captured the hearts of the Swami’s followers. The following years they began constructing more traditional chariots: large wooden structures decorated with canopies and flags.
Since this time, the Festival of Chariots has been celebrated all over the world from New York to Paris, Denmark to London, Rome to Moscow, and has grown to become one of the world’s most captivating spiritual events.
