Hindu devotees make their way through the streets during a Ratha Yatra, or "Chariot Festival". The procession marks the climax of the annual nine-day festival called Sri Ganesh Chaturthi, held to celebrate the elephant-headed Hindu deity, Ganesh, the primary god worshiped at The Hindu Temple Society of North America (also called the Ganesh Temple). At the center of the procession is a large shrine housing a sculpture of the elephant-headed Hindu god. Devotees make offerings of fruit and flowers that the priests riding atop the 16-foot long silver carriage, called a Ratha, bless and send back into the crowd to be shared.

Music and dancing during a Ratha Yatra, or "Chariot Festival". The procession marks the climax of the annual nine-day festival called Sri Ganesh Chaturthi, held to celebrate the elephant-headed Hindu deity, Ganesh, the primary god worshiped at The Hindu Temple Society of North America (also called the Ganesh Temple). At the center of the procession is a large shrine housing a sculpture of the elephant-headed Hindu god. Devotees make offerings of fruit and flowers that the priests riding atop the 16-foot long silver carriage, called a ratha, bless and send back into the crowd to be shared. Devotees believe that the energy created by their week of chanting, offerings and the festivities in the streets replenish the powers of the holy statue and ready it for another year of worship in the temple.