Sunday, July 13, 2014

Festival of India 2014

The 42nd annual #festivalofindiaTO parade down #Toronto's Yonge Street was surrealistic as a caravan of giant wagons were pulled down the street by an army of marchers. The hare krishna festival takes place July 12-13 and will continue with a free vegetarian feast on Centre Island.
Colourful costumes and interesting makeup were overshadowed by the giant, red peaked wagons that could be lowered to pass under overhead wires. The wagons held several people with some of the best seats in the house, covered in flowers and with wheels that featured tiny elephant symbols. What would be really great is if this turned into a chariot style race. The drivers would whip their human powered pullers and the four wagons would hurtle past the crowds towards the finish line as pedestrians placed bets on their favourite wagon. Look out Ben Hur! The excitement would also build up the crowd into a fever of anticipation until the yoga meltdown occurs (which was cancelled for 2014 due to unforeseen circumstances), which sounds very violent for a peaceful exercise like yoga.

The turnout, while large, was not as big as it could be if it was embraced by more Indian people. I think it still remains the creation of the Hare Krishna religious organization. Regardless, it is a parade that is really interesting to watch as it rolls down the road towards the lake front.
The parrot on the head guy



Police guided the festival as it headed south past the Eaton Centre




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