Rath Yatra Festival
29 June 2003, London, UK
On Sunday 29 June 2003, over 3000 devotees participated in a spectacular Rath Yatra through the streets of Neasden and Wembley. The colourful procession, lead by Akshar Marching Band, featured two beautifully decorated floats, one carrying the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami and Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the other bearing the murti of Jagannathji. The procession stretched for 1.5 km and also featured four dance groups and devotees of all ages carrying banners with inspirational messages and singing devotional songs. Along the 5km-procession route, thousands of people witnessed the colourful scenes and gained inspiration from the messages.