BAPS Temple NZ Hosts Raksha Bandhan Festival

The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Avondale recently hosted the Raksha Bandhan festival in collaboration with the HOTA (Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations) Forum, celebrating the  bond between brothers and sisters, as well as the connections within families, friends, and the wider community.

The event was graced by the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, alongside Members of Parliament Dr Carlos Cheung, Dr Deborah Russell, Rima Nakhle, Nancy Lu, and Rahul Chopra. Chairs of the Whau and Puketāpapa local boards, Ms. Kay Thomas and Ms. Ella Kumar, along with notable community members such as Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Ms. Vanisa Dhiru, and Rakesh Naidoo from the New Zealand Police, also attended.

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With around 500 attendees, the celebration commenced with traditional Hindu rituals, including the ‘deep pragatya’ and a Māori karakia, followed by the Shanti Path, a heartfelt prayer for peace. Vinodji Kumar, president of HOTA, addressed the audience, acknowledging the significant role of Hindu communities in organising and promoting a collective voice.

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Jainesh Patel, representing BAPS, spoke on the organisation’s mission to foster unity and service through spirituality. He emphasised the importance of embracing challenges for meaningful change and encouraged the community to serve with dedication, reflecting values of love, harmony, and growth.

A key highlight was the rakhdi tying ceremony, symbolising a sister's love and a brother’s promise of protection. Rakhdis were tied on the wrists of honored guests, friends, and community members, underscoring the commitment to mutual protection and harmony.

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High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan expressed her appreciation for the event, noting that Raksha Bandhan not only celebrates bonds between siblings but also promotes universal love and harmony. She commended HOTA and BAPS for their contributions to the New Zealand community.

Dr. Carlos Cheung shared his personal connection to the festival, reflecting on his bond with his brother and extending that sense of togetherness to his colleagues, who he regards as family. Dr. Deborah Russell praised BAPS for embodying values through action, particularly in their community service. She emphasised the importance of societal harmony and mutual respect, likening it to the care within a family. Ms. Kay Thomas highlighted the diversity in the local community and expressed her pleasure at having the BAPS temple in the Whau local board area.

Rakesh Naidoo, in his address, emphasised that one’s identity should be reflected in how they live their life and what they contribute to others. He recognised the significant contributions of the Hindu and Indian communities to the nation, noting the values of humility, hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance that they embody.

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The event featured various cultural performances, with children and youths from different community organisations showcasing traditional dances and songs in colorful costumes. These performances not only entertained but also served to keep cultural traditions alive for younger generations.