A touch of India on the beach | Arts & Culture

Clearwater Beach, Florida -- Drums and cymbals, Indian dance and a colorfully adorned chariot marked the 2nd Annual Festival of the Chariots and Ratha Yatra Parade on Clearwater Beach Sunday.

The centerpiece of the elaborate display was a chariot with flowers and a tall orange and red canopy topped with a brass chakra, or wheel of physical and spiritual energy.

Pulled by ropes, it was paraded to the south beach and back to Pier 60 to symbolize pulling God back into ones life.

The parade ended with Indian song and dance and free vegetarian food at the Pier 60 pavilion.

The event was sponsored by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness.