Dr. Tulip Duncan
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the current host of the prestigious HOTA Forum NZ, is delighted to announce the upcoming Raksha Bandhan Festival – Universal Fellowship & Veneration of Womanhood. This vibrant event will take place on Saturday, 17 August 2024, at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Avondale, Auckland, bringing the community together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and values of Hindu Dharma.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, 17 August 2024
- Raksha Bandhan: 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm
- Venue: 21 Barrhead Place, Avondale, Auckland 0600
The Raksha Bandhan Festival is organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in collaboration with the HOTA (Hindu Organizations, Temples, and Associations) Forum.
Raksha Bandhan, a significant festival in the Hindu community worldwide, is a time-honoured tradition where individuals tie a Rakhi, a holy thread, as a symbol of love, fraternity, and affection. This gesture represents the commitment to protect and promote life values for the betterment of humanity. In a congregational setting, the Rakhi is first tied to a senior person, fostering love, affection, and loyalty to the broader society.
The festival organisers are inviting a diverse group of dignitaries, including the Honorable Minister, the Mayor of Auckland, the Human Rights Commissioner, the Race Relations Commissioner, the Police Chief, Maori and Hindu elders, community leaders (including youth and women), the Multicultural Council, the Interfaith Council, and many more.
Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations (HOTA) Forum New Zealand is a vibrant platform dedicated to fostering unity, collaboration, and progress among over 70 Hindu organisations, temples, and associations in New Zealand. Established to involve Hindu community leaders and increase capability for large-scale Hindu collaboration in New Zealand, HOTA Forum emphasises the Hindu integrative concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one big family).
“Each year, one of the HOTA Forum members becomes the host and organises this annual Raksha Bandhan festival, giving every organisation an opportunity to lead this community development project. This year, the host is BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha,” said Shri Vinod Kumar, National Coordinator for HOTA Forum NZ.
“If you’re interested in joining our celebration as a performer, singer, dancer, volunteer, committee member, or in any other capacity, please contact hindu.nz@gmail.com,” he added.
The Raksha Bandhan festival promotes social inclusion in Aotearoa New Zealand. It engages not only Dharma-based ethnic communities but also local Maori communities and Kiwis. The festival also serves as a platform for the development of capabilities and abilities, particularly among youth and women, supporting ethnic communities in thriving through cultural celebrations, especially dance performances.
This festival also provides an opportunity for many ethnic communities to celebrate this unique festival and showcase their culture to the wider community through dance performances during the cultural program.
“Raksha Bandhan festival is open to all. We are expecting over 800 people to come together to celebrate the essence of Raksha Bandhan,” said Shri Govindsinh Gohil from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha.
“We expect the festival to draw participants and attendees from vibrant and diverse ethnic communities, including those from India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, China, Korea, Japan, South Africa, and more,” he added.
About BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a worldwide spiritual and humanitarian organisation dedicated to promoting individual and community well-being through cultural and spiritual activities. Guided by the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the inspiration of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS serves communities across the globe by fostering values of unity, peace, and service.
