Soul Light Music Fest – Friday May 16, 2025
The Soul Light Music Fest and Jacksonville Beach Festival of Chariots, held on Friday and Saturday, May 16–17, 2025, was unlike any event in years past. For the first time ever, the festival began not with the traditional Saturday morning chariot parade but with a vibrant, soul-stirring concert on Friday night. This special kickoff event featured renowned spiritual hip-hop artist MC Yogi, alongside the world-famous kirtan group The Mayapuris and Visvambhar Sheth. The fusion of music, yoga, and dance elevated the energy of the entire weekend, transforming this year’s Ratha Yatra into a full two-day celebration of Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe.
On Friday night, the stage was set for an unforgettable experience. The evening began with guided yoga sequences, allowing attendees to ground themselves in breath and movement. Crowds gathered at the festival grounds, drawn by the rhythm of the mṛdaṅga drums, the soft melodies of the flute, and the warm strumming of guitars. MC Yogi’s uplifting lyrics, paired with the Mayapuris’ powerful kirtan, inspired everyone to dance and chant in joyous devotion.
As the music intensified, people spontaneously joined the performers on stage, forming a massive group of dancers moving in harmony. Devotees and newcomers alike shared the space, dancing freely and joyfully. The moment fused spirituality and festivity in a way that felt fresh, inclusive, and deeply moving.
Festival of Chariots Jacksonville Beach – Saturday, May 17, 2025
The energy from Friday flowed seamlessly into Saturday morning’s cultural presentations. The program opened with a stunning Odissi dance performance—one of India’s eight classical dance forms, originating from the temples of Odisha. A group of 17 dancers mesmerized the audience with their synchronized movements, paying homage to Lord Jagannath.
Next came a powerful Bharatanatyam performance. Known for its expressive storytelling, this classical South Indian dance depicted the dramatic tale of Lord Narasimhadeva, the fierce half-man, half-lion avatar who appears to protect the devoted Prahlad. The dancers conveyed the story’s emotional depth through expressive faces and dynamic poses.
This was followed by a captivating Vrajavasi dance, in which the performer embodied both Krishna and Radha, switching seamlessly between the divine pair’s playful and eternal pastimes in Vrindavan.
One of the emotional highlights of the morning was a powerful play depicting the famous dice game from the Mahabharata. The scene showed how Yudhisthira lost everything—including his kingdom, his brothers, and even his wife Draupadi—in a rigged game against the Kauravas. The audience was moved as Draupadi, in utter despair, cried out to Lord Krishna, who miraculously saved her by providing an endless sari. It was a touching reminder of divine protection and grace.
In the course of the stage program, organizer Bhadra Das honored Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman for her support of the event.
The final dance before the parade was a graceful Odissi performance. As the dancers left the stage, MC Yogi and The Mayapuris energized the crowd with a lively set, building excitement for the Ratha Yatra procession.
With spirits soaring, the chariot parade began. A beautifully decorated cart carrying the deities Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra rolled through the sands of Jacksonville Beach. For three hours, the shoreline echoed with kirtan, drumbeats, and joyful chanting. Devotees danced barefoot in the warm sand, arms raised, while others pulled the chariot rope with heartfelt devotion. Some danced in circles, some in lines, while others simply swayed with eyes closed—fully immersed in the sound of the Holy Name. The mood was one of unity and spiritual celebration, where each step felt like a step closer to connection—with oneself, with community, and with God.
Throughout the day, free prasadam was lovingly served. Volunteers made sure no one went hungry. Even after the parade, prasadam distribution continued, offering nourishment for both body and soul. Families gathered under tents to enjoy the delicious food and share their festival experiences.
This year’s addition of the Friday night concert made the festival feel fuller, longer, and more immersive. As one attendee said, “Who doesn’t want to party longer—especially when the party has a spiritual purpose?” Extending the festival to two days allowed more people to attend and participate. By weaving together yoga, music, classical dance, drama, kirtan, and service, this Festival of Chariots reminded us all that spiritual life is vibrant, joyful, and full of love.
Special thanks to Bhadra Prabhu for your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in organizing and coordinating this festival.
And heartfelt thanks to all the participants, volunteers, and organizers who made this Ratha Yatra possible!
