1000 food items offered at Annakut in Auckland

Inclement weather did not stop devotees from thronging the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland to attend the annual Annakut Mahotsav by the Yogi Divine Society New Zealand Inc. (Hari Prabodham Parivar) on October 29.

Thousands of Aucklanders flocked to the event to receive blessings from His Holiness Param Pujya Pragat Guruhari Prabodh Swami Maharaj.

Around 1000 food items prepared by 200 volunteers of the Hari Prabodham Parivar were offered as prasad to the Thakorji (Holy Idols),which was then served to the attendees.

Annakut celebrates Lord Swaminarayan’s admiration towards the dynamic works of  Lord Krishna and the pantheon of saints who followed after him. Lord Swaminarayan's wish was to make Annakut a lifelong tradition to mark the start of the New Year.

To spread the legacy of the late Guruhari Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj, Pragat Guru Hari Prabodh Swami Maharaj travelled extensively over the past year in the UK, Europe and the US, preaching the message of Seva, Smruti, Suhradbhav and Swadharma.

The event was graced by saints such as  Pujya Sashvat Swami, Pujya Sarvamangal Swami, Pujya Sarvatit Swami, Pujya Anandmangal Swami and Pujya Ashokbhai (International Secretary), who provided devotees with the spiritual enlightenment to deal with life’s challenges.

Other dignitaries at the event included National Director of Tu Whenua – Bayleys Maori business division Ward Kamo, former Kiwi-Indian MP  Kanwaljeet Singh Bakshi, as well as community leaders such as  Siva Kilari, Navtej Randhawa, and Harshad Patel.

While Mr Bakshi emphasised that youth are the backbone of society and the torch bearers of the future, Sarvamangal Swami and Anandmangal Swami both stressed the importance of a spiritual guide in our lives to help us overcome the obstacles that are associated with health, wealth, prosperity and spirituality. Ashokbhai (International Secretary) discussed the importance of parents passing down spiritual knowledge and faith to their children.

Mr Mohanbhai Daya (President of YDS NZ Inc.) thanked the dignitaries and guests present on the occasion, and extends his cordial invitation to attend the Suhradam Youth Convention on Saturday 12th November.