Chester’s festival scene is about to go all spiritual with a new addition from Hare Krishna.

Chester’s upcoming Hare Krishna festival is completely free, and will include music, dance, and free vegetarian food.

The event will be held at Chester Music Theatre in Boughton from 7pm on Tuesday, April 14.

Well known all over the world for their shaven heads, bright saffron robes, giving out free food and their famous mantra, the event is expected to see hundreds attend.

Picture of Hare Krishna devotees at other festivals as Chester prepares for it's own

ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and local members of the Hare Krishna movement have teamed up to organise the festivities.

Giridhari Das, a Hare Krishna monk who heads up the UK festival team, said: “Probably best known from the Glastonbury Music Festival or for singing in the streets of central London, as the Hare Krishna Festival team we tend to appear all over the place. Whether local carnivals, theatres or town halls we like to be with the people.”

The Hare Krishna movement follows an ancient set of teachings which have their roots in the Vedic culture of India, dating back 5,000 years. It became popular in the 1960’s when its message was brought to western countries by A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada – an Indian guru, aged 70, who left Vrindavan, India, and set sail for the United States in 1965 with just a few dollars in his pocket.

Picture of Hare Krishna devotees at other festivals as Chester prepares for it's own

Within a year of his arrival he set up ISKCON, and today the movement has more than 400 temples and centres worldwide, including 60 farm communities, 50 schools and 90 restaurants.

The Chester festival, and other festivals across the UK this year, are part of the build up to the 50th anniversary of the Hare Krishna movement.

Thanks to The Beatles, and in particular George Harrison’s involvement, Hare Krishna became a household name.

Press officer for ISKCON Festivals Bhakta Nathan Prabhu said: “Our philosophy is very rich and attractive to so many people. In a world that’s becoming increasingly competitive, and that has people believing they’ll only be happy through material gain, we’re showing something different.

“The Krishna consciousness message is for everyone. A message of love, simple living, service and above all – putting Krishna first.”

For more details visit www.harekrishnafestivals.com.