TOURISTS and shoppers smiled and stared in amazement as a chariot was paraded today through York city centre by about 50 singing, chanting and dancing members of the Hare Krishna movement.

The colourful and noisy parade began and finished in Parliament Street, taking in High Ousegate, Coney Street, St Helen’s Square, Stonegate, Low Petergate and Church Street.

Pedestrians were invited to join in and dance to the rhythmic music when the parade stopped at several locations, including Coney Street, St Helen’s Square and Low Petergate.

The chariot was so high that it had to be lowered temporarily in Coney Street to pass under wires strung across the road.

The procession was followed by free vegetarian food and stage entertainment including a cultural dance, mantra meditation, drama and a puppet show, along with a brief talk about the Ratha Yatra festival.

Devotees of the movement, which follows ancient teachings of devotional yoga with roots in the Vedic culture of India, came to York from all over the country, and from as far away as America and Mexico.

Ashis Bengani, of York Bhakti Yoga team, said this was the second such procession and it had now become an annual event.

York Central MP Rachael Maskell gave a short speech, saying it was vital in our society to make space for bringing hope and peace.

She said: “We all have a role to reach out in peace and love to one another...Thank you for coming to York today to make us stop and reflect on who we are in our magnificent universe, and reminding us of how we can each be the solutions to heal our nation, starting by serving one another and valuing the things that matter.”