Monks from the Hare Krishna Temple in London have passed through Deal as part of a five-day walk for peace.

The religious group is walking 40 miles from Canterbury to Folkestone in response to the recent tragedies and atrocities that have taken place in the UK.

They are being led by a temple on wheels pulled by two bulls.

The walk for peace known as Padayatra, in the ancient Sanskrit language, literally means to go by foot.

Residents in Deal witnessed them on their lively and uplifting procession of music, food, philosophy and dance along the sea front yesterday as they made their way from Sandwich Leisure Holiday Park to Kingsdown Campsite.

The walk began from Canterbury Cathedral, the mother of all pilgrimage sites in the UK, on Monday where they were blessed by the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral for a safe journey.

"The walk for peace is a way for us all to come together and show that we stand united against hate, and offer prayers for those who have lost their lives." - Temple president Jai Nitai dasa

It will conclude next to the Harbour Fountains in Folkestone tomorrow afternoon.

Temple president of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) centre in London, Jai Nitai dasa, said: “The news of the recent atrocities happening across the country have shaken our world. The walk for peace is a way for us all to come together and show that we stand united against hate, and offer prayers for those who have lost their lives.

“Through the walk, we will remind people that in these seemingly fearful days of war, suicide bombings, climate change, social tensions and economic uncertainty, a simple self-sufficient life in harmony with Mother Nature and God’s will is always available as an alternative.”

On the streets of London, the Hare Krishnas are famous for their brightly coloured robes, singing in the streets, happy spirit, free mass distribution of delicious food and transcendental books.

Thanks to The Beatles, and especially George Harrison’s involvement, Hare Krishna became a household name.

What is less known about them is that they follow an ancient culture and philosophy going back thousands of years which includes vegetarianism, yoga and meditation.