The Arona City Council and ISKCON Tenerife are organising the 15th Indian Festival and the 9th Arona Yogafest on July 18 and 19 in Playa de Las Américas, featuring free activities for all audiences.
The procession of the ceremonial cart, known as Ratha Yatra, will once again traverse the streets of Playa de Las Américas on Sunday, July 19. This event is part of a weekend dedicated to Hindu culture and well-being, with the 15th Indian Festival and the 9th Arona Yogafest as the main attractions.
On Saturday, July 18, starting at 15:00, the festival will kick off with a showcase of stalls featuring crafts, fashion, literature, gastronomy, beauty, health, and fragrances. Throughout the afternoon, attendees will enjoy musical performances, devotional singing, and classical Indian dance.
Inauguration with Lighting of the Ceremonial Lamp
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 19:30, with the presence of local authorities and representatives from the Hindu community. The ceremonial lamp, a traditional symbol, will be lit, followed by performances: Odissi dance, classical music with flute and mridanga, Kathak dance, and a talk by SS Yadunandana Swami.
From the Arona City Council, the Councillor for Tourism, Naím Yánez Alonso, has emphasised that this event "is an example of the cultural diversity of the municipality" and an opportunity to "promote activities that foster cultural exchange."
Yoga Sunday and Cart Procession
Sunday, July 19, will start at 10:30 with the 9th Arona Yogafest. Professionals and yoga schools will offer sessions of Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Siddha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Om Chanting. Attendees can participate for free, and there will also be a vegetarian lunch for everyone.
The day will conclude at 18:00 with the festival's closing, but immediately afterwards, at 19:00, the Ratha Yatra procession will begin. The ceremonial cart will depart from Arenas Blancas street and travel along Rafael Puig Lluvina avenue and Las Américas avenue until 22:00. At the end, a free vegetarian dinner will be offered.
For the residents of Arona and tourists, this event presents a unique opportunity to experience Hindu traditions up close without leaving the island. Moreover, all activities are open and free, making it easy for families and curious individuals to participate.
The Arona City Council has highlighted that events like this enrich the tourist and leisure offerings of Playa de Las Américas, an area seeking to diversify beyond sun and beach. The combination of culture, spirituality, and well-being attracts a varied audience each year, both local and foreign.
If the weather is favourable – which in July in southern Tenerife tends to be more than generous – the cart procession promises to be a visual and auditory spectacle that is hard to forget. However, those wanting to secure the free lunch on Sunday would do well to arrive early: experience shows that queues form quickly.
