Festival of Joy returns to downtown Bloomington

Posted on September 23, 2024

*^{A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or even meditate at the fest. (Photo courtesy of WMBD-TV)}*

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – The 15th annual Festival of Joy transformed the downtown Bloomington area into a mini India.

Many wore colorful Indian clothes, got henna tattoos, and face dot face paintings. The Indian cuisine featured plant-based foods.

A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or even meditate at the fest.

The festival is also known as the Festival of Chariots and date back 3,000 years ago to a city in India which lays claim to the longest running street festival, according to the group’s website.

The website states:

“This re-enactment of the famous Ratha Yatra parade, also celebrated as the Festival of Chariots, is rooted in ancient India’s bhakti or devotional tradition. It has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India, making it the world’s longest-running street festival.”Festival of Joy website.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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