In a dazzling display of unity and devotion, Papatoetoe's community members recently came together to take part in an enthralling ‘Maa Bhagwati Ka Jagran’ -- a night-long vigil filled with soul-stirring songs, enchanting dance performances, and heartfelt religious ceremonies dedicated to a revered deity.
Organised by Auckland Indian Retailers Association Inc. (AIRA), the event not only witnessed a massive turnout but also fostered multicultural harmony.
The September 9 event, which took place at 204 Great South Road, Papatoetoe, marked the second edition of the spiritual celebrations.
National Party candidates Melissa Lee and Navtej Singh Randhawa; and ACT Party candidate Rahul Chopra were among the dignitiaries present. The evening saw hundreds of devotees enjoying the melodious singing of devotional hymns and the performance of intricate religious ceremonies.
Sharing her experience, Lee, who was born in South Korea and grew up in Malaysia before moving to Australia and then to New Zealand, said, "It was a wonderful experience to be among so many families attending Mata Ka Jagran. The entire venue was filled with positive energy and smiling faces, and I think these events help bring communities together in a safe environment, sharing their common heritage.”
Randhawa said it was a privilege for him to attend the second jagran in Papatoetoe. “The offering of fruits, coconut, prayers, and roses brought all devotees and followers to observe goodwill in action and prayers to fulfil their wishes. It was marked with special zeal and deep religious feelings."
The organisers also seemed overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown by the Kiwi-Indian community in Papatoetoe and beyond.
Taking to The Indian Weekender, Rajesh Goel, President of AIRA, revealed, "When we did our first jagran last year in August, we mainly wanted to unite the local business community while seeking blessings from ‘mata rani’.
“By organising this annual event, we want to endorse a message of secularism. This year, over 1,200 people attended the jagran. They were seen soaking up a total spiritual atmosphere, delicious prasad and a lot of blessings. We held the event in Papatoetoe central so we could have more footfall in the area to help boost businesses."
The dedication and enthusiasm of Kiwi-Indian community truly stole the spotlight at the jagran. AIRA’s General Secretary Jagjeet Singh Sidhu said, “Attendees have given us a lot of positive feedback and have suggested having a bigger place next time. We might look to organise it in a bigger place like Due Drop Centre in Manukau next year.”
Adding a flavourful twist to this spiritually enriching experience, the jagran featured a delicious langar with delicacies including puri, chana, curry paneer and halwa.
However, the true testament to the event's success came from the attendees, who voiced their desire for more such community-driven devotional gatherings.
Radha Verma, a proud resident of Papatoetoe, shared her sentiments, "Being a part of the jagran and receiving the blessings of mata rani was an incredible experience. It was a shining example of unity, diversity, and the enduring power of faith and togetherness."