The Rathayatra Festival is organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishnas, every year. Thousands of passers-by would have spotted the Rathayatra procession, which involves representations of three deities being carried through the streets to much fanfare. The day culminates in a festival in Forbury Gardens with free food, meditation, traditional dances and more. The festival was attended by councillor Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley), the Mayor of Reading, and took place on Saturday, July 25. The Hare Krishnas will be bringing the festival to Newbury and Basingstoke in August, with both featuring processions, running from 12pm to 5pm each time.