AN annual festival of noise, colour and dance will descend once more on the seafront to celebrate a spiritual movement.

Hundreds of Hare Krishna followers are expected to take part in the Rathayatra Festival Chariot Parade along Hove seafront on September 13.

The parade is held in honour of Lord Krishna and his devotees and has its origins in a ceremony held 2,000 years ago in India.

Everyone chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and dances as a model of Krishna is pulled along in a huge wooden cart.

One of the festival's organisers is Krishna Gopal dasa. Born in Brighton as Kishan Vaghadia, he changed his name to Krishna Gopal dasa - dasa meaning "servant of God" and left lower case because of the group's aim to be humble servants.

He said: "It's a family-friendly free day - anyone from any walk of life can come.

"If you can talk and breathe, you are more than welcome to come."

Rathayatra means "festival of chariots" but this festival will only have one chariot, which is being brought down from London.

Vegetarian food, otherwise known as Prasadam, will be served after the procession.

Mr Gopal dasa said funding for the festival is raised by Hare Krishna Brighton and Hove through their own pockets.

The group meets every Friday at the Phoenix Community Centre in Phoenix Place, Brighton, from 7pm.

He said: "You can come as an enquirer, or even just come for the food really. We don't charge anything but people can give a donation."

The 30-year-old, who now lives in Peacehaven and teaches computing in a secondary school, was born into Hinduism.

In explaining the Hare Krishna relation to Hinduism, Mr Gopal dasa said: "The analogy is that Krishna is considered a sort of prime minister and then there are many other demi-gods.

"I was kind of brought up with a knowing of Krishna, the ceremonies, the way of life and offering respect to elders.

"That kind of mindset was already there. It has been a progression over many years."

Mr Gopal dasa added that it differs from set religions by not having the same rules and regulations.

He said: "We just love God. I wear special robes on a Friday but if I'm just going to the supermarket or the cinema I wear normal clothes.

"That's the beauty of it - we never push anything on anyone. It never works - you can't force someone to love someone."

The group celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2011, making this the 14th year.

The Rathayatra Hare Krishna Chariot Festival takes place on Sunday, September 13, from noon on Hove promenade opposite Grand Avenue.

For more details about the Brighton group visit harekrishnabrighton.com