The organizers of Dallas' Festival of Joy, are excited about the newest incarnation of one of the world's oldest street festivals, bringing the latest edition of the festival to life on Saturday in Dallas.
Derived from a 3,000-year-old tradition in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India, what started as a local celebration has transformed into a multicultural event attracting large crowds in downtown Dallas.
"This is a festival that draws millions in India. We've been holding this event in the streets around our temple and restaurant (in East Dallas) for decades," Atul Vohra, founder and organizer of the Festival of Joy said.
"Seven years ago, we said we need to bring this into the mainstream just as it happens in New York on Fifth Avenue, and in London at Piccadilly Square. And being Texans and being proud of our state, we said everything's got to be bigger and better in Texas," he said.
The festival now settles in Klyde Warren Park, aspiring to become a longstanding Dallas tradition.
"It's been happening for 2,000 plus years...arguably the oldest street festival in the world," he said.
Nrsimha Rupa, president of the Radha Kalachandji Temple, emphasized the festival's cultural and spiritual dimensions.
"Our nature is that we're all looking for some kind of joy and happiness in our lives," Rupa said.
The festival offers manifold attractions such as great food, mantra meditation, dancing, and singing.
"Meditation... has been shown to be something beneficial for everybody," he said.
One of the festival's highlights includes the reenactment of the original Ratha Yatra parade featuring enormous chariots—a traditional spectacle that captivates attendees.
"We will be bringing the Lord and his chariot down the streets of the arts district in Dallas," Rupa said. "It's really an opportunity to experience this joy and happiness that we're all looking for."
With each year, the festival organizers strive to enrich the program.
"This year we've enhanced the musical acts, extended the hours, and partnered with the (Dallas Museum of Art)," Atul Vohra noted.
The Festival of Joy not only promises continuous stage entertainment but also includes various interactive sessions like "Ask a Monk," opportunities to try on traditional Indian attire, and activities tailored for children.
"And then the stage entertainment will go on all day long with live singing and dancing," Rupa said.
This year's festival is set to run Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., rain or shine.
The parade will start at 11:30 a.m.
At 7 p.m., popular Indian artist Gaura Vani will perform a lively mix of Asian fusion music.
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