\n<\/p>\n
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) \u2014 The 15th annual Festival of Joy<\/a> transformed the downtown Bloomington area into a mini India.<\/p>\n Many wore colorful Indian clothes, got henna tattoos, and face dot face paintings. The Indian cuisine featured plant-based foods.<\/p>\n A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or even meditate at the fest.<\/p>\n The festival is also known as the Festival of Chariots and date back 3,000 years ago to a city in India which lays claim to the longest running street festival, according to the group\u2019s website.<\/p>\n The website states:<\/p>\n \u201cThis re-enactment of the famous Ratha Yatra parade, also celebrated as the Festival of Chariots, is rooted in ancient India\u2019s bhakti or devotional tradition. It has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India, making it the world\u2019s longest-running street festival.\u201d<\/p>\n Festival of Joy website.<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n\n