Prayer, music and food were celebrated during the Jaggarnath Ratha Yatra: the Festival of India, which took place Saturday at General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre along the city’s waterfront.
Naina Sharma, one of the organizers of the annual event, described the festival as being all about people coming together.
“India is all about spirituality, so this whole celebration is around spirituality, and it symbolizes that we are all different, but still together when it comes to divinity and spirituality,” she told BarrieToday at the event.
“Those who cannot spend money and fly to India, if they want to see the real India, then this is the place to be.”
There was an outdoor procession, which saw worshippers pulling a chariot, along with other religious symbols.
“The procession of Jaggarnath means lord of the universe,” said Sharma.
“When people don’t go to see him, he comes out to meet the people in the streets. This is him coming out and giving everybody mercy. When we are sick, sometimes we go to the hospital, but when we are extremely sick, then the doctor has to come out, so he is that doctor who has come out to fix everybody’s soul and heart.”
Organizers pegged the crowd at about 500 people this year.
The indoor celebration consisted of chanting, dancing, and vegetarian feasting.
“People from all different cultures are here,” Sharma said.
“It’s such a beautiful event, and all-inclusive. We believe in meaningful celebrations, and all about educating the people … and bringing them together.”
