The New Zealand Odia Society successfully marked Rath Yatra 2025 with vibrant celebrations held in Wellington and Auckland, drawing enthusiastic participation from the Odia diaspora and wider Indian community.
The Wellington celebrations took place on 29 June at Redwood School in Tawa, featuring a cultural programme that included Odissi dance performances, a vibrant adult Sambalpuri group dance, traditional musical renditions, and other cultural presentations. A standout aspect of the event was the emceeing, which was entirely led by children, showcasing the involvement of the younger generation in preserving Odia culture.
Auckland hosted its Rath Yatra celebrations on 5 July at Sriram Mandir in Henderson. The event began with the puja of the handcrafted Ratha, built last year by NZ Odia Society members and this year adorned with the sacred Patitapaban Bana flag, brought from Puri. The day featured Odissi dances, a chorus performance by adults, group dances, and an instrumental ensemble performed by children. The musical items were choreographed by Guru Basant Madhur, founder of the Sargam School of Music.
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A major highlight of the Auckland celebration was a musical drama adaptation of Fakir Mohan Senapati’s play Patent Medicine, performed by members of the New Zealand Odia Society. The drama was widely appreciated for its theatrical quality and cultural significance.
The Auckland event was attended by Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India, who praised the community’s efforts to promote Odia culture abroad. NZ Odia Society President Mr. Nilachal Mishra delivered the keynote address, emphasising the values of unity, cultural heritage, and community engagement.
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The Auckland celebration was supported by Bank of Baroda, New India Assurance, and Alright Financial Services Limited. Representatives from these organisations, along with members of the Hindu Foundation of New Zealand and Bhartiya Samaj, were also present, reflecting strong inter-community collaboration.
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In Wellington, the event was supported by Home Loan Factory Mortgage Brokers Wellington as a Bronze Sponsor, with additional in-kind contributions from Time Square Spices Ltd and The Great Chilli.
Both events concluded with the distribution of prasad, symbolising divine blessings and community togetherness.
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The New Zealand Odia Society extended its gratitude to all volunteers, performers, sponsors, and attendees for contributing to a memorable celebration of faith, tradition, and cultural unity.