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Ecstasy in New York
by Trisakti devi dasi

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Picture this: Times Square, New York City, New Years Eve; a harinam party chanting Hare Krishna ecstatically amidst a diverse crowd including a multitude of police officers and other emergency workers.

On New Year's Eve 2001, devotees gathered at 26 Second Avenue in New York City, Prabhupada's first temple in the west. Devotees from the Bhaktivedanta Ashram, along with other members of the yatra organized the harinam party. His Grace Yajna Purusha das began the kirtan and then Ekachakra das followed up with sweet melodies. Despite the freezing weather, the party persevered. His Grace Sunanda das lead an enlivening kirtan for over two hours, culminating in the most ecstatic train ride back to 26 Second Avenue.

Empowered by Prabhupada and sheltered by the holy name, the devotees were able to distribute packets of prasadam, invitations, and pamphlets to the astonished onlookers. No one in the party knew what to expect; many of us feared the worst. Our little party of about thirty-five or so, was vastly outnumbered by the hundreds of thousands of people gathered around Times Square. To our surprise and delight, droves of people were joining in the glorification of the holy names and therefore receiving the mercy of Lord Caitanya. Hundreds of people were dancing with the sankirtan party, waving their hands, clapping, singing along, and engaging their New Year's Eve noisemakers and horns in the service of the Lord. Even the police officers were dancing and accepting prasadam as they looked on with approval.

Back at the Maha Tirtha, the night's events were reflected upon, and everyone agreed that it was truly an unforgettable experience. The reciprocation with the crowd was very encouraging and much more than anyone had imagined. Sometime after two in the morning, the devotees parted, but they remain forever joined together by the shared experience of that ecstasy in New York City. Sri Harinam Sankirtan Ki Jai!