New Zealand Telugu Association (NZTA) celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with full enthusiasm and zeal. The celebration took place on Wednesday (August 31) at Mount Albert Community and Leisure Centre.
The event saw the presence of almost 120 community members dressed in their ethnic attire, coming together to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha.
The beautifully lit and decorated stage made the perfect divine ambience for the evening.
The event has Samuhika pooja being done by nine couples. The pooja was performed by Pandit Raghavan Rengachari and Pandit Nagaraju Vindamuri.
“It was incredible to see our coming community members coming together under one roof and praying to Lord Ganesha. As a cultural Indian Association, we also endeavour to unite our community members and celebrate our rich Indian heritage," said NZTA General Secretary Suneel Kuncha.
The event also saw an auction of six kg laddoo. Giving more details about the same, Kuncha said, “Like every year this year also we had a laddoo weighing 6 kgs that was auctioned. One family who had performed Samuhika pooja earlier participated in the auction and won.”
A well-known face of the Kiwi Indian community, Nilima Venkat, also graced the event and explained that there is a need for more such events to take place in our wider Kiwi Indian community.
Talking about her experience, she said, “I felt great to be part of this community event and celebrating Ganesh pooja with our wider community. Such events in New Zealand transport you back to India. I always maintain such initiative should be encouraged as we need to keep our Indian roots and culture alive in Aotearoa.”
The event also saw guests enjoying the fellowship thoroughly, followed by a delicious dinner.
This year NZ Telugu Association is planning to do the Ganesha visarjan on Sunday, September 4 at Suneel Kuncha's residence in New Windsor, followed by lunch.
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