The original inner meaning of Rathayatra is very beautiful. In His time on this Earth, Krishna grew up in Vrindavana, and had great loving friendships there with all the residents, including the cowherd boys and girls. When Krishna grew up, He became a King and moved away from His childhood friends. After many years the residents of Vrindavana came to see Him. But He seemed so different to the mischevious cowherd boy they all knew and loved. So they kidnapped Him and tried to bring Him back to Vrindavana on a cart. Being with Krishna like this they felt simultaneous loving emotions of closeness and separation. The Rathayatra festival is a modern expression of this pastime. Read more › The original inner meaning of Rathayatra is very beautiful. In His time on this Earth, Krishna grew up in Vrindavana, and had great loving friendships there with all the residents, including the cowherd boys and girls. When Krishna grew up, He became a King and moved away from His childhood friends. After many years the residents of Vrindavana came to see Him. But He seemed so different to the mischevious cowherd boy they all knew and loved. So they kidnapped Him and tried to bring Him back to Vrindavana on a cart. Being with Krishna like this they felt simultaneous loving emotions of closeness and separation. The Rathayatra festival is a modern expression of this pastime. Read more ›