A VEGETARIAN, yoga and meditation festival will return to Reading on Saturday July 30.

The fourth Reading Rathayatra Festival is a celebration led by the Reading branch of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a nonsectarian, monotheistic tradition more commonly known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

Reading ISKCON operates from a simple flat in Dukesbridge Court off the Kings Road that doubles up as a temple for the 200 practising Reading residents.

Amala Manjari, owner of the flat and key proponent of Reading ISKCON, has been studying the movement's 5,000 year old texts for 15 years.

“Our believes are based in science,” explained Mrs Manjari above the soft hum of meditative music.

“They speak about what has happened and what is going to happen. The books predicts the coming of Mohammed, Jesus and Buddha.”

Although rooted in ancient wisdom, ISKCON was only introduced to the West in 1966, when spiritualist leader Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda travelled from Calcutta to New York.

50 years later and ISKCON boasts 600 centres and a large European following, including festival organiser, Reading resident and salesman Phil Alexander.

“Three years ago I was handed a copy of the Bhagavad Gita by a monk standing outside an underground station,” explained Mr Alexander.

“When I began reading it, I found it had answers to all of my questions.”

Come 12pm July 30, Mr Alexander and his daughter Penelope will proceed from Town Hall Square to Forbury Gardens where the festival will take place.

As well as a line up of kirtan bands and mantra music, magic, henna tattoo drawing and sand there will be yoga sessions, meditation classes and free vegetarian food.

Dr. Shahrar Ali, Deputy Leader of the Green Party, and Councillor Sarah Hacker, former Lord Mayor of Reading, will deliver speeches.

For more information about Reading ISKCON and the festival, go to http://www.iskconreading.org