Hare Krishna Festival

A local tradition for 30 years, the Hare Krishna Festival of the Chariots paraded down Santa Monica's Main Street today, on its way to the Ocean Front Walk Plaza and a vegetarian fest.

A colorful parade, complete with leaflets promoting the Hare Krishna Cultural Center in L.A. The first Festival of the Chariots dates back about 5,000 years to Jagannatha Puri, India, as a celebration of the return of Krishna to his hometown of Vrindivan. [more]

An interesting sight, too, with the inevitable "Hare Krishna" chants, and a wide variety of followers boasting the required fashion gear -- each with their own twist: the hard core one; the dude version with Oakley glasses and Teevas; the Paris (Hilton) wannabe in pumps, Gucci bag and Chanel glasses; the trailer trash version with five pounds of cheap makeup; the skater, with board and jelly hairdo... As well as the ballet of police cars and bikes, carefully choregraphing traffic while the parade cruised by.

This is yet another aspect of California's fascinating diversity -- the State of godzillion faiths and beliefs. I've ordered a book on the subject, The Visionary State. As its author Erik Davis says,

California is famous for its diversity, its eccentricity, and its prophetic influence on popular culture. Since the 19th century, the Golden State has also been one of America’s most fertile climates for spiritual and religious movements. California 'consciousness' ranges from Yosemite to Esalen, from televangelism to Neopaganism, from Mormon pioneers to contemporary Kali worshippers. The place is both the nexus and far frontier of American religion.

It sure promises to be an interesting read.

photos LA Frog