A Rath Cart for Cambridge

There’s a first time for everything, and the long-standing and leafy city of Cambridge has, in its time, witnessed many firsts. Not least in introducing new ways of transporting people around its historic thoroughfares filled with fascinating architecture and perennially laced with beautiful greenery.

How marvellous it was when game-changing modern railway systems reached Cambridge in 1840. Even if the station was a little far out, Cambridge’s hard-working horses helped bridge the gap as they lent their muscle power to provide a regular and reliable tramway service that steadily pulled passengers into its bustling centre. The riverside town’s prestigious university also launched its initial – soon to be high profile – annual boat race against its Oxford counterpart back in the 19^th Century.  Before too long, popular new punts began to adorn the river Cam, floating with grace and poise through the enchanting area’s unspoilt verdant heart. To this day these nifty flatboats are something of a local institution as well as a prominent tourist attraction.

Tourist Attraction

And, being such a level and compact city, Cambridge is now (despite its frequent busses) also the UK’s cycling capital. Residents and visitors alike have a freedom of movement that enables them to thoroughly soak up the county town’s captivating history while fully living in the moment.

Cycling Capital

But never before has the Cambridgeshire capital beheld coursing through its main arterial accesses a uniquely hand-crafted and strikingly colourfully chariot (Rath cart) bearing the Lord of the Universe, Jagannath, together with His brother, Balarama, and sister, Subhadra.

Jagannath Trinity – Out for the Day

This eye-catching spectacle may today, Saturday 30^th September 2023, be something of a novelty to Cambridge, but it is no stranger to the world at large. Rathayatra is a chariot festival dating back to 1558 and the ancient city of Jagannath Puri, India. Thanks to the Hare Krishna movement, it’s a vibrant and *inclusive urban pilgrimage (*everyone is welcome) that has been a common yearly sight in many of our planet’s major cities from 1968. But, for the three dazzling Hindu deities being introduced to outdoor Cambridge now, it really is fresh territory.

Blessed with fine weather, the sacred trio seem assured of a gracious reception. They not only have devotionally clothed and very vigilant attendants to ease their passage but also a sizeable on-foot entourage to escort them every inch of the way. Devotees sing sacred Sanskrit mantras to the accompaniment of heady and compelling Indian-style drumming. The holy and high-energy musical pageant surrounding the transcendent triad-in-motion on their first major Cambridge outing captures the full attention of each and every person it encounters en route.

Blazing a Glorious Trail

To make this a truly cross-generational affair, there is even a replica children’s Rath cart leading the way.

Rath Cart Replica

Krishna disciple Jagannath Nayana Ranyana, who lives just a short distance from Cambridge in Newmarket, says:

“I have been to Rathaytra several times, mainly in London, and always had a great time, but to at last see Lord Jagannath out on the road in Cambridge is very special.”

As it wends its pioneering way along Burleigh Street towards destination New Square Park, the Cambridgeshire capital’s inaugural Rathayatra parade ramps up by a notch (or two!) the poignantly mellow late-season mood pervading its beloved boulevards and public pathways to lend an atmosphere more of late-summer festive excitement to its immediate surroundings. The Rath cart’s vivid red, yellow and blue tones add an extra layer of primary colour to top the spicy warm hue of burnished russet and golden leaves scattered over Cambridge’s open-air spaces.

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Rathayatra – Icing on The Autumn Cake

Its expansive canopy is spread like sheets of bright fondant icing to garnish a rich autumnal cake. The beguiling deities so dignifiedly displayed have now effectively become the city’s divine travelling centrepieces. (No wonder by-standers are totally transfixed.)

An open civic space in front of Grafton shopping Centre provides a convenient stop-off point where the merry band and followers can pitch up for the interim and perform ecstatic kirtan (call and response chanting).

On a Mission

They dance so freely that some Saturday shoppers spontaneously join in, only standing to attention again when a performing dancer takes centre stage to hold everyone spellbound.

Spellbinding

The procession finally dances its way into New Square Park, a community spot of sufficiently wide proportions and perfectly placed to host the rest of this afternoon’s sacred celebrations. The Jagannath trinity can rest nicely in their now static carriage even as they preside over a sparkling sea of joyful human activity.

People mill around between pop-up stalls proffering spiritual literature as well as artefacts and a performance area showcasing a dramatic dance display. A tent supplying hot, fresh and sanctified sustenance (prasadam) draws hungry queues. (Rathayatra does stir up a healthy appetite.)

Sanctified Food – Worth Waiting For

Children delight in each other’s face-paintings while adults happily allow their own carefully fashioned and just finished henna-tattoos to dry.

Carefully does It – Henna and Face Paint

There is something here for everyone and it’s a family fun day for all. A last joyous kirtan rounds off an entirely successful Rathayatra day.

Truly Blessed

What is set to become a once-a-year event will surely only grow in popularity.

Cambridge is truly blessed.

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