Festival of Joy, Bloomington

The Festival of Joy is a yearly festival held in Downtown Bloomington at the McLean County Museum of History. This festival, also known as Ratha Yatra or the Festival of the Chariots, is celebrated in many other global city centers, including New York’s Fifth Avenue and London’s Piccadilly Circus. It promises to bring a vibrant celebration of South Asian spiritual heritage and culture to the Arts

District. Participants will pull the large, colorful chariot, accompanied by the singing of ancient Sanskrit mantras and the sounds of traditional musical instruments. After the procession returns to Museum Square, the main stage will feature nonstop classical music and dance performances. There will also be a variety of cultural and educational exhibits, including traditional crafts, yoga and meditation instruction, face painting, mehndi (henna tattoo), traditional dress-ups, ethnic street food stalls, and a free vegetarian feast. The Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival has been observed annually in the city of Jagannath Puri in Orissa, India, for over 3,000 years, making it the world’s longest-running street festival. The giant chariot carries Lord Jagannath—in Sanskrit, Jagat means the Universe, and nath means Lord. Pulling the Lord of the Universe’s chariot is considered an honor and an opportunity to achieve eternal benefit. Upon seeing this festival, the English colonial governors of India coined the present-day word juggernaut, aptly meaning a massive, inexorable force. The parade is also a re-enactment of a pastime in which the Lord’s family and childhood friends affectionately pull the ropes of his royal chariot to make him return back home with them. We invite you to also reconnect and celebrate family and friends in this ancient festival of reuniting hearts.