Ratha Yatra and India Festival Eindhoven 2024
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Those interested in Indian culture and philosophy will visit the India Festival in the heart of Eindhoven on Saturday 25 May! A short distance from Central Station, on the 18 September Square, exactly between the Bijenkorf and the Hema, there is an extensive range of stalls with clothes, books and tasty snacks. There is a stage with music performances and dance. And around half past three a traditional Indian procession, the Ratha Yatra, arrives in the square.
Ratha Yatra
Around half past three, the Ratha Yatra arrives in the square, the traditional Indian procession. But if you feel like it, you can of course also walk along earlier, a special experience! 'Ratha' means 'cart' and 'Yatra' means 'journey' or 'journey'. Those who want to follow the tour from the start are no later than half past one on the St.Trudoplein in the Eindhoven district of Strijp.
On the Rath is the image of Jagannatha, the 'Lord of the Universe'. Normally it can only be seen in a temple. The fact that Jagannatha is now travelling through the city is a festive event - and it shows! The cart is accompanied on its journey with ringing bells, drum roll, incense and a lot of dancing and singing. Along the way, fruit and other goodies are distributed to passers-by.
- The route of the procession:
Trudoplein (13.30 hrs) – Strijpsestraat – Willemstraat – Vrijstraat – Demer – 18 Septemberplein (15.30 hrs).
- Free vegetarian food:
For those who want to taste India, there are delicious vegetarian snacks for sale all day on the 18 Septemberplein. But still have a hole left! From about four o'clock the free vegetarian meal is served. This is also an Indian tradition. The food is dedicated to Krishna and is therefore seen as very beneficial. In any case, the food is already healthy, vegetarian and tasty. But because of the special attention it has received, this sacrificed food ('prasadam') has, according to many, an even better taste.
India Market
Highlight of the festival is in the afternoon, but the market can be visited from 11 am. A small selection from the offer:
- Stalls with Indian clothing, incense, but also attributes from other traditions such as shamanism.
- Delicious Indian snacks. Completely vegetarian. If you ask further, you will also hear the recipes!
- The philosophy stall with Indian wisdom. Books, brochures, meditation sets. And also some Indian clothing.
- A henna artist. She can turn your hand into a work of art!
Stage program
On stage, we will have the Harinam sankirtan and cultural programs with dance, music and yoga demonstrations. For example, traditional Indian songs can be heard, Indian dance performance by the dance group payal and Yoga by Ankan.
Around seven o'clock the cultural program and the market will be closed.