Northland's Hare Krishna community will celebrate one of the religion's most important festivals later this month with a colourful chariot ride through the city and free food and entertainment in Cafler Park.
For the first time in Northland, the Krishnas will hold a Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival on January 18 when a colourful chariot - symbolising transporting deities - will be pulled through the streets of Whangarei.
The chariot will be pulled from the Town Basin Carpark at 11am then wind its way through the city before the festival is held in the Cafler Park Rose Garden.
Spokesman Buddhi Wilcox said the event was an ancient traditional festival from India and the community was delighted to be able to hold it in the region for the first time.
"It is an event which has never been held before in Whangarei. Ratha Yatra is a very ancient traditional festival from India and is now seen in every major city of the world," Mr Wilcox said.