Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Too
Calgary’s 8th Avenue is the most promising thoroughfare for another chariot event. Café sitters and people strolling about could hear a distant booming of the bhangra and mrdanga drums. At 12 sharp, high noon, coconuts were ceremoniously crashed to the pavement sending exploded juices in different directions before the oncoming march of people chanting Hare Krishna.
I think anything ‘new’ bedazzles people. It challenges monotony.
So, for two hours, our parade went straight on 8th Avenue up to the armory, its usual route. This then makes it a pilgrimage because of the nature of the event. It is not a military march, a protest, or an aimless stroll. This festival, known as Ratha Yatra, is a reenactment of Krishna’s consort, Radha, attempting to lure Krishna back to His home rural village of Vrindavan. At least this is one aspect of the event.
Hundreds came to partake in this walk, which to my guess is a simple 3 to 4 kilometre stretch. My interpretation is an attempt to lure people away from their cars and get them on their feet. This is good. To me, Calgary seems to be a real car town, not so pedestrian prone, except for the trails along the Bow River. This is where you find runners, walkers, and cyclers a plenty.
Meanwhile, all went well with the parade, and the truck pulled a flat bed wagon, on which I sat part of the way. I am not getting lazy, it is on that wagon that the musicians sat churning out the mantra, along with a cheerful turbaned Punjabi man who tapped rhythmically on the two ends of his bhangra drum. Outside of the chariot this guy looked the brightest.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
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