Ratha Yatra (Chariot parade) is celebrated in many major cities over the world. You will see a huge car with the Deities of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra, in a procession by devotees. After arrival at Dam Square, there will be a celebration with feast, kirtan and bhajan, and much more.

The Ratha Yatra festival is for everyone. The parade and festival are free of charge.


About Ratha Yatra


The origin of the festival dates back to before ancient history. It originates from Jagganath Puri in Orissa on India’s eastern coast. The festival over there lasts a whole week with two processions and lots of smaller events in between.


Here in Amsterdam, as in many other countries in the western world, it is usually a one-day event.


How can you join?


By joining us in the parade and festival, singing loudly with us:


Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Learn more about the Ratha Yatra.

More about Krishna consciousness.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Are you eager to fulfil Lord Jagannatha’s sincere and strong desire

– to go on the streets and shower His mercy upon every living entity in Amsterdam

– while bringing Him back to Vrindavan Dhaam by pulling the ropes of the Rath cart?

Please offer a financial contribution to make this Festival reality again this year. You can transfer your donation to:

Bankdetails:

Account holder: ISKCON Kerkgenootschap IBAN: NL04INGB0003984708

Description: Ratha Yatra 2024.

Or click the button below.


Thank you so much for pleasing Their Lordships. You will surely feel the Mercy flow!


Jaya Jagannatha! 

 WHAT TO DO ON DAM SQUARE?

There will be lot of kirtan on the stage. Led by kirtaneers from worldwide, kirtaneers from Radhadesh, and from Amsterdam like Rati Manjari devi dasi, Parividdha prabhu and so many more… Also there will be free vegetarian meal for all visitors, and a few stands where snacks, sweets and books are sold.


WHERE?
13:00 – Start parade at Van Hilligaertstraat, near Shell Service station (see map below for route) 15:00 – Arrival at Dam Square, end of parade. Start Festival with free vegetarian feast. 20:00 – End of the Festival. 

Download practical information about the Ratha Yatra


Parade Route 

 Whatever I was eating, I was offering, and I was following the ceremonies of this Rādhā-Govinda with my small Deity. That Deity is still existing. I have given to my sister. So then I introduced Ratha-yātrā. So I…. My Ratha-yātrā was being performed very gloriously. My father used to spend money. In those days ten rupees, twenty rupees was sufficient. I hired one kīrtana party and a small friends, they…, I think the brother of the present generation, and there was another De family here, so we performed this Ratha-yātrā ceremony. According to our children’s imagination, it was very gorgeous. So I think our present Manmohan…. His name is? Gabhur Bhavana? (Bengali) Gopishvara Mullik. That Gopishvara Mullik was my father’s friend. So he was criticizing my father that “You are performing Ratha-yātrā ceremony and you are not inviting us.” So my father said, “That is children’s play. What shall I invite you? You are very big man.” “Oh, so you are avoiding. In the name of children you are avoiding us.” On the whole, this Ratha-yātrā festival was very gorgeously…. Then imitating me, the other, my brother like, Kangalu(?), he also introduced Ratha-yātrā. And…. Kangalu. (Bengali) So all of them introduced Ratha-yātrā, and the destination was this Thakurbari, from there. So practically what I am doing now, the same thing, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa worship and introduction of Ratha-yātrā. I am not doing anything else. You know very well. We are now performing Ratha-yātrā ceremony practically in all big cities of the world, in San Francisco, in…