Festivals are an integral part of ISKCON. With myriad of colourful decorations, multi-course feasts, elaborate rituals, kirtans, dance and dramas, the festivals makes spiritual progress a fun-filled experience. The original Vedic flavor is thus revived, and anyone who participates in them can vouch that there is no modern day substitute for these soul-satisfying experiences.
The Vaishnava festivals dates are determined by using the lunar calendar. Therefore, dates will vary from year to year when compared to the Western, or solar calendar.
Ratha-yatra
Major cities around the world celebrate Ratha-yatra. It is a contribution of Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON, who introduced a life of Krishna consciousness in the western world. Srila Prabhupada had a great ambition to celebrate this festival gorgeously in every city of the world and he inspired and guided his disciples to make this annual festival well-known in every part of the world. Rathayatra is a non-sectarian celebration. It is attended by people from all faiths and is universal in its scope.The smiling figures of ‘Jagannatha’, ‘Subhadra’ and ‘Balarama’ ride on three wooden carts with 40ft canopies. Each cart is accompanied by a chanting party and a full crew of priests, drivers, attendants and stewards.
ISKCON Myanmar also celebrate the Ratha-yatra festival in Sri Jagannath Temple , Myitkyinar division of Myanmar. All devotees around Myanmar also happily participate the ISKCON Myanmar Ratha-yatra festival.