HOTA (Hindu Organizations, Temples and Associations) Forum is celebrating the Raksha Bandhan Festival – Universal Fellowship and Veneration of Womanhood on Sunday, 22 August in Auckland.

Each year, one of the HOTA Forum members becomes the Host, and leads and organizes this annual festival. That means, every organization has an opportunity to lead this community development project. This year, the Host is Hindu Council of New Zealand. Being the Silver Jubilee of Hindu Council of New Zealand, there is a great expectation from our community and general public for the festival to be grand and memorable one. Those who have attended and experienced Rotorua Deepawali Festival (between 2008 - 2012) organised by Hindu Council of New Zealand wanted a program of similar quality and standing in Auckland.

As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, Hindu Council of New Zealand is repeating some selected, unique programs from the previous years through its various Service Divisions. Recently, it completed two successful programs: First, Rangoli and Mehndi Moko workshops at the Apumoana Marae, Rotorua on Saturday, 15 May 2021, along with the inauguration of Silver Jubilee celebrations. Hindu Youth New Zealand organised the popular Marae stay. The second program was nationwide Health for Humanity Yogathon organised (from 12 June to 26 June) by Yogathon New Zealand, part of AROGYA (Aotearoa Research Organisation for Generic Yoga and Ayurveda). Raksha Bandhan Festival is third in the series of programs being organised.

Some of the other upcoming programs include Matariki (Maori New Year) celebrations by Hindu Elders Foundation; Dharma Fest by Hindu Youth New Zealand; Seminar on Spirituality & Mental Health by AROGYA; Hindu Māori Hui by Hindu Council; Tree Planting, Hindu Media workshop by New Zealand Hindu Students Forum; and Hindu Youth Conference by Hindu Youth New Zealand.

“Following the success of our programs, more and more volunteers especially youth and women are coming on board to support and help with our Silver Jubilee celebrations,” said Vinod Kumar, President of Hindu Council of New Zealand.

“As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, we are launching Hindu Women Forum during Raksha Bandhan festival in the presence of several ethnic communities,” he added.

Raksha Bandhan festival is open to all, and it aims to bring community leaders and dance groups from several ethnic communities (more than 50 groups) together to celebrate this unique festival that promotes universal fellowship and veneration of womanhood. Some ethnic communities living in New Zealand who are expected to actively participate are from India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, China, Korea, Japan and many more countries.

“This festival helps all volunteers, especially the youth and women from different groups, to grow their skills by volunteering, helping and organizing the festival,” said Mamta Bhikha, HOTA coordinator for New Zealand.

This festival also gives an opportunity for many ethnic communities not only to celebrate this unique festival but also to showcase their culture with the wider community through dance performances during the cultural program.

“Most of our programs/activities, including Raksha Bandhan Festival, are led by youth and women, with the blessing of Elders,” said Prof Guna Magesan, General Secretary Hindu Council of New Zealand and International Coordinator for HOTA.

“There are many volunteers who are looking for a platform or an opportunity to contribute to Hindu community work. Those who are interested can email hindu.nz@gmail.com,” he added.

Raksha Bandhan festival helps to grow a socially inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand by involving not only Dharma based ethnic communities but also local Maori community and Kiwis; help educate New Zealanders about the contribution of ethnic communities through the booklet that is being published for this occasion; help develop capability and ability within ethnic communities, especially youth and women; and help support ethnic communities to thrive through the practice and celebration of culture through dance performances.

The festival organizers will be inviting the Hon. Minister, the Mayor of Auckland, Human Rights Commissioner, Race Relations Commissioner, Police Chief, Maori and Hindu Elders, Community Leaders (including youth and women), Multi-cultural Council, Interfaith Council and many more dignitaries.

Some expected community benefits/outcomes of this festival are:

1. Creating an awareness of our ideals such as Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (World is one big family) and Unity in Diversity by involving several ethnic communities.

2. An awareness about the growing Hindu population in New Zealand and their contribution to New Zealand society, including traditional and ancient Indian arts, crafts, yoga, and Ayurveda.

3. An opportunity to study the similarities between Maori and Indian arts (e.g., Mehndi Moko) or with other ethnic communities.

4. To help the participants (mainly youth) to understand and learn about other cultures.

Hindu Council of New Zealand has been serving and strengthening the community for the past 25 years in New Zealand.

(For more information, please contact: Prof Guna Magesan, +64 21 034 5621, General Secretary, Hindu Council of New Zealand)

HOTA Forum to celebrate Raksha Bandhan Festival in Auckland