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Written by Amrta Pani devi dasi
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Monday, 26 February 2007 |
 The annual harinam in Auckland City to welcome in the New Year attracted many participants including members of the general public who were more courageous because of the happy mood of the evening and some because of a little intoxication. Singing and dancing with the chanters they waited for the midnight fireworks from the Sky City building high above Queen Street that would welcome in the new 2007 year.
 | | Gaura Nitai and Prabhupada on |
Next morning, a blazing fire sacrifice began at 11a.m. on January 1, and dispelled the deluge of rain that had fallen that morning. Spectators believed that the beautiful day that followed was a sign of an auspicious year to come.
Sridama , the officiating priest, performed the sacrifice chanting mantras, and the participants threw grains on the fire.
Yasodadulal from Christchurch revealed the Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra that he had sculpted especially for the Jagannatha Family Festival. As an added bonus to the fire yagna, the crowd was treated to an abhishek (bathing) of Their Lordships. The next day the three Deities were transported to Whangamata where the Family Festival was due to begin.
 | | Young revelers enjoying kirtan |
 
 | | Children on harinam |
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