The Hindu Council of New Zealand, along with the Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations (HOTA) Forum, is gearing up for the next "Delegation of Hindu Leaders’ Pilgrimage to Bharat" in October 2024, following the success of the inaugural pilgrimage.
Led by Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, and spearheaded by Pravinbhai Patel, the two-week spiritual journey that took place from 14-28 March this year, aimed to deepen participants' connections with their cultural and religious heritage.
The yatra was designed to encompass significant spiritual, historical, and cultural landmarks across India. Inspired by the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, the pilgrimage brought together 20 delegates from New Zealand, Australia, and India.
The journey began in Delhi, where delegates were warmly welcomed, and continued with visits to Kurukshetra, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Vrindavan, Mathura, Prayag Raj, Varanasi, Sarnath, and concluded in Ayodhya. Along the way, delegates participated in soul-enriching activities, including visits to temples, educational institutions, and spiritual ceremonies.
"My personal experience was immensely gratifying, and I was really blessed to have met so many like-minded people and visited all the divine places, said Pravin Patel, one of the participants of the Yatra.
Highlights of the pilgrimage included a yoga session guided by Baba Ramdev at the Patanjali Ashram in Haridwar, experiencing the Ganga Aarti with Swami Chidanand Muni at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh, and participating in the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam in Prayag Raj. Delegates also had the opportunity to interact with personalities such as Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Rural Development, and Dr Chinmaya Pandya, the Pro Vice Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya in Haridwar.
"The pinnacle of our journey undoubtedly was the Ganga Aarti. It was a truly special moment for us to partake in the Sankalpam and shodasopachara puja to Ma Ganga," said another participant Geetha Devi KS.
"Delegation of Hindu Leaders’ Pilgrimage to Bharat" in March, 2024. Photo: Supplied
In Varanasi, delegates attended the Mahamangala aarti at Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and explored the sacred sites associated with Lord Krishna's saga in Vrindavan and Mathura. The pilgrimage concluded with a visit to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, where delegates offered prayers.
Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, expressed gratitude to Ajay Kumar and his family for making the tour arrangements and ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all participants.
For the full report of the delegation to India, visit https://hotaforumnz.org/bharat-dham-yatra/. Individuals interested in participating in the Yatra in October 2024 are encouraged to email hindu.nz@gmail.com.
"Delegation of Hindu Leaders’ Pilgrimage to Bharat" in March, 2024. Photo: Supplied
Established in 1996 and formally incorporated in 2006, the Hindu Council of New Zealand is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting Hindu culture in New Zealand. Through various initiatives and events such as New Zealand National Hindu conferences, annual Health for Humanity Yogathon, and Hindu Māori Hui, the council strives to foster interfaith understanding, community cohesion, and spiritual growth among Hindus and the wider community.