St. Leonhard Horse-back procession of Bavaria

This Bavarian festival is a celebration dedicated to St. Leonhard. He was originally considered as the Saint who helped prisoners. He is also referred to as the God of Bavaria. But now he is deemed to be the patron saint of all livestock, particularly of horses.

November 6^th every year is celebrated as St. Leonhard horse-back procession. This is a very colorful affair in which the whole of Bavaria revels in. the beautiful adornments on the horses’ mane are a sight to see. People turn out in large numbers, all dressed up in colorful traditional costumes and decked up to the hilt. They roam around the city streets celebrating the event.

The horse riders who are dressed up in festive dresses on decorated horses ride in processions through the city roads as a pilgrimage to St. Leonhard’s chapel. These horses are blessed by a priest prior to the beginning of the procession. Besides these, horse drawn carts named ‘truhenwagens’ are seen in large numbers, bearing gleeful people in right festive mood.

St. Leonhard’s horse-back procession of Bad Tölz is very famous. This is a spectacular procession on November 6^th which consists of more than 70 decorated horses and several beautifully bedecked carriages full of women and children in traditional costumes. This grand procession starts early in the morning and ends in the chapel of St. Leonhard. This is one of the most noted pilgrimages in Germany.

After the pilgrimage, this procession comes back to the town to proceed with other festivities. The whip cracking competition is the highlight of this celebration. Young men go about swinging their whips in the most creative and artistic ways. Young people take part in this competition with real verve and dedication.

Apart from these the festival is marked by the presence of elaborate beer parlors which serve some of the best beers in Germany. Traditional food stalls crop up along every street. This is a time of celebration and the people take this opportunity to consume copious amount of beer and sumptuous feasts.

Entertainment programs are organized to mark the occasion. Traditional dance programs are the most popular of these entertainments.

by Marina Chernyak