Edmonton
Festivals
ANNUAL CHARIOT FESTIVAL, MAYURAPATHY
As with Calgary, there is now an annual Rath Yatra, or Chariot Festival staged by the Hare Krishna Temple in Edmonton, generally held in the middle of July. The first annual event took place in 2006 here, and its success has assured it of its longevity. It is a day long event that includes a parade, a festival with music and dance, displays and a vegetarian feast. For more information on this event visit, Sri Sri Radha Govindaji Vedic Cultural Centre, 9353 35th Avenue. Phone: (780)439-9999. Website: http://www.iskcon.ca
DASHMESH EDMONTON - Annual Sikh New Year Festival
Edmonton and Calgary have large Sikh communities and, as a celebration of the birth of the Sikh belief, each city holds a huge day of festivities to honour this very holy occasion, generally towards the end of May. It is held at the Gurdwara(Temple) Millwoods, at the end of the annual Vaisakhi Parade. The parade begins at the Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, and proceeds along Millwoods Road to the Gurwara Millwoods, where the celebrations continue with numerous booths offering free vegetarian foods and beverages to the celebrants, including samosas, curries, rotis, sometimes even pizzas, and numerous sweets. Different member companies and individuals contribute to the festival, cooking and donating, making this the largest vegetarian festival in Edmonton.
For more information as to when the festival is held, contact the Temple Gurdwara Millwoods. It is located at 4504 Millwoods Road South.