ANNUAL FESTIVAL • ISKCON EDMONTON
Jagannath Ratha Yatra 2026
Festival of Chariots
Join thousands of devotees, families and guests as Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Srimati Subhadra come out in a joyful procession through Edmonton.
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Saturday
July 25, 2026
🕘
Festival Time
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️
Admission
Free • Everyone Welcome
ISKCON Edmonton • Sri Sri Radha Govindaji Mandir
9353 35 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5R5
9353 35 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5R5
10,000+ guests • Kirtan • Chariot procession • Free prasadam
10,000+
Expected Attendees
10,000+
Plates of Prasadam
3+ KM
Sacred Procession
FREE
Entry for Everyone
THE HEART OF RATHA YATRA
A Divine Procession of Love and Devotion
Ratha Yatra is the joyous festival in which Lord Jagannath — the Lord of the Universe — comes out of the temple with His brother Lord Baladeva and sister Srimati Subhadra so everyone can receive Their darshan.
Originating in Puri, India, this ancient celebration is now observed in cities around the world. In Edmonton, the sacred procession fills the streets with kirtan, dancing, devotion and community.
Everyone is invited. There are no prerequisites, no entry fees and no barriers. Lord Jagannath belongs to all.
Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Srimati Subhadra
WHAT AWAITS YOU
A Full Day of Spiritual Joy & Culture
Ratha Yatra is more than a procession. Stay for the day and experience music, culture, family activities and prasadam together.
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Grand Chariot Procession
Walk with Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra through the sacred Edmonton route.
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Live Kirtan
Chant, sing and dance with live devotional music throughout the festival.
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Cultural Performances
Enjoy devotional and multicultural stage presentations during the festival.
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Free Maha Prasadam
Thousands of plates of sanctified vegetarian prasadam served free to all guests.
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Kids' Inflatables
Family-friendly activities for children throughout the festival.
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Face Painting
Colourful festival fun for children and families.
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Horse Wagon
A special attraction included in the 2026 festival program.
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Chinese Dragon Dance
A vibrant multicultural performance during Chariotfest.
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Gift & Book Shops
Browse spiritual books, gifts and festival items.
THE SACRED JOURNEY
Follow the Chariot
Approximately 3 km of kirtan, devotion and community — open to everyone.
9:00 AM
Pahandi Ceremony
Deities are brought to the Ratha at ISKCON Edmonton. Coconut arati at 9:30 AM.
11:00 AM
Ratha Departs
The chariot procession leaves ISKCON Edmonton.
11:40 AM
BCSA / Bharatiya Temple
Arati stop at the Bhartiya Cultural Society. Departure around 12:10 PM.
12:20 PM
Polyphase Checkpoint
Procession reaches the 91 Street / Strathcona Industrial Park area.
1:00 PM
34 Ave Turn
The procession begins its western return toward ISKCON.
2:00 PM
Return to ISKCON
Sri Nrsimha Arati followed by free Maha Prasadam.
Route overview: ISKCON Edmonton → BCSA → 91 Street → 34 Avenue → return to ISKCON
CHariotfest 2026
Saturday, July 25 • 9 AM – 5 PM
The 2026 Chariotfest brings together the sacred Ratha Yatra procession and a full festival program at ISKCON Edmonton.
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Festival Features
Colourful chariot parade, live kirtans, cultural performances, kids’ inflatables, First Nations dance, Chinese dragon dance, face painting, horse wagon, gift and book shops.
Festival contact: 780-862-8307
Temple: (780) 439-9999
Temple: (780) 439-9999
JOIN THE PROCESSION
Pull the Chariot. Walk With Lord Jagannath.
One of the most special parts of Ratha Yatra is that everyone can take part. Walk with the procession, chant with the devotees and help pull the sacred chariot.
You do not need to be Hindu or an ISKCON member. People of every background, faith and culture are warmly invited to participate.
BE PART OF THE GRACE
Ways to Participate
Every contribution — service, sponsorship or simply bringing someone new — helps make the festival possible.
🙏
Volunteer
Help with decorations, crowd management, prasadam distribution, first aid, photography and festival support.
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Offer Seva
Sponsor garlands, prasadam, chariot expenses and other festival services that benefit thousands of guests.
👨👩👧👦
Bring Family & Friends
Share the joy of Ratha Yatra with someone new. The festival is free, family-friendly and open to everyone.
SUPPORT THE YATRA
Help Bring Lord Jagannath to Thousands
Your seva helps provide free prasadam, cultural programming and the many practical needs of Edmonton’s annual Ratha Yatra.
$25
Garland Seva
$108
Prasadam Sponsor
$501
Chariot Patron
$1,008
Yatra Champion
THROUGH THE YEARS
Ratha Yatra Memories
A glimpse of the devotion, colour and community that make Edmonton Ratha Yatra so special.
2025 Celebration
Darshan & Deities
Ecstatic Kirtan
Festival Seva & Offerings
Thousands Gather Together
Festival Grounds & Community
For future years, simply duplicate this year’s photo container in Elementor, rename the year and replace the images.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Come Comfortable. Come Festive.
👗
What to Wear
Comfortable traditional Indian attire or modest casual clothing is suitable. Bright festive colours are welcome. Wear comfortable shoes for the procession.
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Food
Maha Prasadam is served free to attendees. The food is vegetarian and offered to Lord Krishna.
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Families
Children and families are welcome. The 2026 program includes kids’ activities and family-friendly attractions.
♿
Accessibility
The current festival information describes the procession route and festival grounds as wheelchair accessible. Contact the temple for specific accessibility needs.
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Parking & Arrival
Parking can be busy on festival day. Follow event-day signs and volunteers around ISKCON Edmonton, arrive early, and consider public transit or carpooling.
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Temple Location
ISKCON Edmonton • Sri Sri Radha Govindaji Mandir
9353 35 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5R5
Temple: (780) 439-9999
9353 35 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5R5
Temple: (780) 439-9999
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful information before you join Edmonton’s Festival of Chariots.
Yes. Entry is free and the festival is open to everyone.
Absolutely. Lord Jagannath’s festival is open to people of every background, faith and culture. Everyone is welcome to walk with the procession and participate.
Yes. Guests are encouraged to participate in the procession and help pull the sacred chariot when directed by the festival team.
Yes. Maha Prasadam, sanctified vegetarian food, is served free to festival attendees.
Comfortable traditional Indian attire or modest casual clothing is appropriate. Wear comfortable shoes because the procession covers several kilometres.
Yes. Families and children are welcome. The 2026 festival also advertises children’s inflatables, face painting and other family attractions.
Visit the ISKCON Edmonton Volunteer page to sign up for festival seva such as decorations, prasadam service, crowd management, first aid, photography and other support.
SATURDAY • JULY 25, 2026
Come Walk With Lord Jagannath
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM • ISKCON Edmonton • 9353 35 Ave NW
Free entry • Free prasadam • Families welcome
Free entry • Free prasadam • Families welcome
Through the Years
Yatra Memories
A living archive of devotion — one new year added after every Yatra. No new page ever needed.
