The festival of Ratha Yatra has been celebrated since ancient times, as one of the most important yearly events in the Vaishnava-Hindu faith. Vaishnavism, the worship of
Lord Krishna, is one of the principle branches within the broad Hindu tradition.
Vaishnavas are monotheists, and believe Lord Krishna to be the same God
worshipped by Christians, Jews and Muslims.

In Jagannath Puri, the deity worshipped in the main temple is an image of Lord Krishna, and is called Jagannath (which means “Lord of the Universe”). He is worshipped along with his brother, Balarama, and sister, Subhadra, in the main shrine. Every summer, at the beginning of the monsoon season, the three (3) deities are taken out of the temple amidst great fanfare, and are placed on bright and colorful chariots. Almost a million worshippers throng to the city and pull the chariots with love and devotion, accompanied by joyful music, religious chants, and dancing.  The chariots are accompanied by a procession of devotees who are ecstatically dancing and chanting the Lord's Holy Names:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

In 1976 A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement inaugurated the New York City version of this ancient Indian parade. Since then, it has been celebrated annually and has become a New York summer tradition. This festival blends the splendor of a millennia-old celebration with the excitement of a parade down New York’s world famous Fifth Avenue.  This event draws thousands of people; of various walks of life from all over the world, bringing the best of the East and West together in a demonstration of universal peace, harmony and goodwill.