A chariot procession honoring Lord Jagannath will wind through Bellevue's Crossroads neighborhood on July 12, closing several streets near Crossroads Park from noon to 2 p.m.

The Flavors of India & Ratha Yatra parade kicks off at noon from Basis Independent School at 15749 NE 4th St. and ends at Crossroads Park, 999 164th Ave NE. The full festival runs until 7 p.m. with Indian music, dance, and food. Admission is free.

Road closures

The City of Bellevue Transportation Department posted the following closures for noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 12:

  • NE 4th Street between 156th Avenue NE and 160th Avenue NE
  • 156th Avenue NE between NE 4th Street and NE 8th Street (northbound lanes and two-way left-turn lane)
  • NE 8th Street between 156th Avenue NE and 161st Avenue NE

The department published the closure notice on Wednesday, July 8, and noted that residents can sign up for road-closure alerts through the city's transportation alert system.

What to expect

The Ratha Yatra is a Hindu chariot festival rooted in Puri, Odisha, India, honoring Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna), his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. The first Ratha Yatra held outside India took place in San Francisco in 1967. In Bellevue, attendees will watch volunteers pull a decorated chariot through the streets before the procession arrives at Crossroads Park for the afternoon festival.

The event is organized by VCC Festivals, which also hosts Ananda Mela - Joyful Festival of India in Redmond on Saturday, August 8. According to the event's ParentMap listing, the parade portion runs from noon to 2:30 p.m., though city-posted road closures end at 2 p.m.

Parking

Organizers recommend arriving early. Options include:

  • Crossroads Park lots (off 8th Street, 164th Avenue, and 156th Avenue) — best before 11 a.m.
  • Calvary Lutheran Church, 16231 NE 6th St. — available anytime; recommended by organizers
  • Basis Independent School, 15749 NE 4th St. — available before 11:30 a.m.
  • Unity of Bellevue, 16330 NE 4th St. — available after 1 p.m.
  • Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 411 156th Ave NE — available after 1:30 p.m.

Crossroads, home to an international food court and regular multicultural events, hosts the parade along streets familiar to anyone who shops or dines in the neighborhood. Plan extra time if you're driving through the area between noon and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.