I am glad to have this opportunity to convey my support for the 36th annual Ratha Yatra Festival and to signal the Government's strong commitment to diversity and the contribution it can make to Britain today.

We are determined to see the kind of dynamic society in which people from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds can truly celebrate what we have in common as well as retaining and being proud of our distinctive identities.

I very much welcome events such as this, which will help us all to celebrate the values and benefits of diversity whilst developing a greater sense of shared values.

This festival sees different communities coming together, but also shows the positive expression of belief that is characetristic of the Krishna consciousness movement and of British Hindus more widely.

Source: rathayatra.co.uk