Rathayatra, Roller Skates & the World Cup: I began Sunday 18 June 2006 by photographing the annual Rathayatra chariot festival in Hyde Park and on its way to Trafalgar Square, before going to Parsons Green where I found the West London Green Fair rather disappointing but did briefly meet a large crowd on roller skates on a ride around London.
Later I went to New Malden to meet a friend and photograph Koreans who had gathered at a local pub to watch South Korea playing France in Leipzig in Group G of the 2006 World Cup. South Korea had earlier beaten Togo, and drew with France but a few days later lost to Switzerland and so failed to progress to the knockout phase of the cup. Below is what I wrote in 2006 (with the usual corrections) and links to more pictures from the day.
Hare Krishna: Rathayatra Festival
Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square
One of London’s more colourful annual events is the Rathayatra or Chariot Festival organised by the Hare Krishna movement. The three chariots carry representations of three deities, Lord Jagannatha (Krishna, the Lord of the Universe), Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama, and pulling the ropes grants eternal service at the end of life in the spiritual world.
The ceremony dates back around 5000 years in the ancient holy city of Jagannath Puri in Orissa, India, but was only established in London rather more recently in 1969.
The chariots are accompanied by musicians and dancers, and there is free food for all at Trafalgar Square where the procession ends.
This year’s festival also celebrated the 108th anniversary of the birth of A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), who in 1966 founded the Hare Krishna movement.
Many more pictures here on My London Diary.
West London Green Fair
Parsons Green
I called in briefly at the West London Green Festival at Parson’s Green on my way to New Malden, but there didn’t seem to be much happening there.
The Skate Rollerstroll called in briefly, but didn’t stop for long.
Korea v France
The Fountain Pub, New Malden
I was on my way to New Malden, where I met up with Paul Baldesare to go and photograph Korean supporters watching the Korea v France match at one of the local pubs.
Both inside the pub and in the garden were a whole lot of large screens, with Koreans coming to watch the game.
We got there quite a while before the start when everyone was just starting to get into the mood. Soon we both had red and blue stripes painted on our faces.
It was very much a community event, with everyone enjoying themselves, and emotions obviously ran high once the game had started.
Along with the hundreds of Koreans there were a few non-Korean locals, and one French woman with a France t-shirt. I talked to her briefly before the game began, but couldn’t find her later when I went to take some photographs in the crowd. So everyone in my pictures is a Korea supporter.
When I left, a few minutes into the second half, Korea were trailing 1-0. I missed the equaliser, and the after-match celebrations when the High Street was full of Koreans celebrating the draw.
Many more pictures here on My London Diary.
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