ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Gaurav Sharma
Organised by the Christchurch Fiji Association and attended by more than 100 people from across communities of Indian-origin, the city saw one of the grander celebrations of Maha Shivratri on February 25. The festival, which marks the convergence of divine powers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti by virtue of their marriage as well as the occasion when Lord Shiva performed his celestial dance Tandav, is observed on the sixth night of Hindu calendar's Pahlgun month.
Vinesh Prakash, Secretary of the Christchurch Fiji Association, said, “It's a very popular festival in Fiji, and devotees observe a day-long fast and offer fruits, flowers, and bel leaves on the Shivaling. Ritual baths of Shivaling with milk is also an important ritual of the festival. While here we perform an abridged version of the rituals involved, in Fiji, the celebrations carry throughout the night, with devotees singing Shiv bhajans all night long.”
Manish Pandey, a Justice of Peace and member of Christchurch Multicultural Council, who attended the event added, “When I came to Christchurch in 2008 as an international student, the Indian community was not very big here. Even Diwali celebrations were not that grand. But as more people from India and of Indian-origin immigrated here, the community started celebrating Holi, Ganesha Chaturthi, Shivratri, Baisakhi, and a lot of other festivals. These celebrations are a good platform to get connected [to] each other and showcase the rich Indian tradition to the wider community.”
Moving forward, the association is planning for Holi celebrations Fiji-style in mid-March. “In Fiji, we have the tradition of faag (holi-related folk songs) mandalis, which visit homes of friends and relatives, exchanging sweets, applying colours, and playing music. In Christchurch, we have several mandalis, which are all eagerly looking forward to March 12 now.”
Gaurav Sharma
Organised by the Christchurch Fiji Association and attended by more than 100 people from across communities of Indian-origin, the city saw one of the grander celebrations of Maha Shivratri on February 25. The festival, which...
Gaurav Sharma
Organised by the Christchurch Fiji Association and attended by more than 100 people from across communities of Indian-origin, the city saw one of the grander celebrations of Maha Shivratri on February 25. The festival, which marks the convergence of divine powers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti by virtue of their marriage as well as the occasion when Lord Shiva performed his celestial dance Tandav, is observed on the sixth night of Hindu calendar's Pahlgun month.
Vinesh Prakash, Secretary of the Christchurch Fiji Association, said, “It's a very popular festival in Fiji, and devotees observe a day-long fast and offer fruits, flowers, and bel leaves on the Shivaling. Ritual baths of Shivaling with milk is also an important ritual of the festival. While here we perform an abridged version of the rituals involved, in Fiji, the celebrations carry throughout the night, with devotees singing Shiv bhajans all night long.”
Manish Pandey, a Justice of Peace and member of Christchurch Multicultural Council, who attended the event added, “When I came to Christchurch in 2008 as an international student, the Indian community was not very big here. Even Diwali celebrations were not that grand. But as more people from India and of Indian-origin immigrated here, the community started celebrating Holi, Ganesha Chaturthi, Shivratri, Baisakhi, and a lot of other festivals. These celebrations are a good platform to get connected [to] each other and showcase the rich Indian tradition to the wider community.”
Moving forward, the association is planning for Holi celebrations Fiji-style in mid-March. “In Fiji, we have the tradition of faag (holi-related folk songs) mandalis, which visit homes of friends and relatives, exchanging sweets, applying colours, and playing music. In Christchurch, we have several mandalis, which are all eagerly looking forward to March 12 now.”
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