This Wednesday (31st August) is when the world will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi (the Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Ganesha – the god of wisdom, plenty and remover of obstacles).
The 11-day celebration begins on the Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, which falls on 30th August 2022. Based on Udaya Tithi, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated this year on 31st August and conclude on 9th September with Ganesh Visarjan.
In Auckland, the Indian community associations and temples are gearing up for the celebration in a big way.
The Auckland Marathi Association Inc (AMAI) celebrates the Ganesh Chaturthi on Saturday, 17th September, at Freemans Bay Community Centre (52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay). AMAI’s President Neha Nalwade says, “We celebrate Ganeshutsav in Auckland far away from home with the sole purpose of re-creating and re-living the experience and magic of the festival as we experience it back in India. This year we celebrate with traditional Maharashtrian folk dances like Lezim, Fugdi, Lavani, Gondhal and Dindi.”
The event will commence with a pooja at 3 pm and conclude with Maha Arti at 7.30 pm, followed by dinner. "I am sure people have missed celebrating Ganapati for the last two years due to the Covid pandemic; the wait is over," says Nalwade.
The New Zealand Marathi Mitra Mandal (NZMM) is organising Ganesh pooja, athrvshirsh (Ganapati stotram) chanting, and Maha Aarti on Sunday 4th September at Onehunga Community House, Selwyn Street, Onehunga, between 3-7 pm.
“Last year, no one could get together to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi due to Covid lockdowns. Hence, we are taking this opportunity to bring people together to receive Bappa’s blessings. We also want to showcase our Marathi traditions and faith in Lord Ganesha to the next generation. We pride ourselves in showcasing our brand Marathi to other cultures in NZ,” says Shree Nigudkar from NZMM.
The New Zealand Telugu Association (NZTA) is also hosting a Ganesh Chaturthi event scheduled for Wednesday 31st August at Mount Albert Community and Leisure Centre (773 New North Road, Mount Albert) from 6.30 pm onwards. Suneel Kuncha, General Secretary, NZTA, says, “Let’s all come together and pray to Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles and for the prosperity of mankind.”
The temples are also gearing up for the big celebrations. The Radha Krishna Mandir will have its celebration at 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1021 beginning this Wednesday.
“The temple will have Ganesh Chaturthi pooja at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 31st August, a Ganesh Yagna on Saturday 3td September, and Ganesh Visarjan on Friday, 9th September. On behalf of Auckland Indian Association Inc, I invite everyone to join us in celebrating Ganesh Utsav at Radha Krishna Mandir,” says Dhansukh Lal, President of AIAI.
Auckland Sri Ganesh Temple (4 Dent Place, Papakura) has also planned big celebrations for the occasion. The message from the temple on its Facebook page reads, “The Temple Trustees wish to invite all devotees and well-wishers to celebrate the auspicious occasion of our Lord Ganesh's birthday on 31st August 2022 (Wednesday). As usual, we have embarked on celebrating this special day of our Lord in a grand manner. The festivities will start as early as 4.30 am and go on till 9.00 pm. The first pooja will start at 5 am and the last at 7.30 pm”.
The temple has organised three grand abishekams for Lord Ganesha, followed by ten days of special abishekam to the Lord. The Anantha Chathurtdasi is on 9th September 2022 (Friday).
ISSUE
Leave a Comment