Lara Zijl 
Pilgrimage to Bharat organised by the Hindu Council of New Zealand in March 2024 is reported in this article. The pilgrimage was inspired by the inauguration of the Shri Ram Mandir and the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. The yatra was coordinated by Dr Guna Magesan, President of Hindu Council of New Zealand. The delegation of Hindu leaders’ pilgrimage was led by Shri Pravinbhai Patel. The delegation of 20 delegates from New Zealand, Australia, and Bharat had the opportunity to visit important heritage places and engage with prominent figures, finding the experience spiritually enriching.
The pilgrimage to Bharat covered several important heritage places, including:
- New Delhi
- Kurukshetra
- Rishikesh
- Haridwar
- Mathura
- Vrindavan
- Prayag Raj
- Kashi (Varanasi)
- Sarnath
- Ayodhya
These locations were chosen to provide a comprehensive experience of Bharat’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
The delegation had the privilege of engaging with prominent figures such as Baba Ramdev, Shri Madhulal Patel, and Sadhvi Ritambara ji during the pilgrimage.
The Hindu leaders from New Zealand, Australia, and Bharat found the experience of the pilgrimage spiritually enriching. They expressed profound sentiments about their experiences during the pilgrimage, with many of them describing it as a transformative odyssey that ignited spiritual empowerment within them. They felt blessed, experienced unparalleled peace of mind, and found newfound strength within themselves. The pilgrimage provided them with timeless insights, spiritual resonance, and a deep sense of spiritual awakening. The participants also expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to explore their nation’s breathtaking cultural heritage sites and to immerse themselves in the marvels of sacred locations. Overall, the leaders found the pilgrimage to be an unforgettable and enriching experience, embracing the opportunity to delve deeper into the treasures of their ancient heritage and to surrender to the divine during their journey.
Some of the feedback from the report:
“Yatra left me awestruck, words failing to capture the depth of emotion as I immersed myself in peace and discovered newfound strength within. I visit Bharat every year since last 15years, but this trip is something else and this cannot be repeated” – Sudha Lodhia
“Being seated within the sacred caves of Guru Vashista and Babaji, enveloped by their profound essence and embraced by the tranquil silence, was an experience beyond words. I felt truly blessed beyond measure” – Vethavalli Srinivasan
“The essence of the Bharat Yatra was to delve deeper into the treasures of our ancient heritage, to witness firsthand the marvels of our sacred sites. Longing for such an opportunity, I seized the chance to embark on this journey, eager to immerse myself in the experience” – Hasmukhbhai Maisuria
“What defines a pilgrimage? It’s the profound surrender to the divine, a journey where one loses themselves in the depths of spiritual awakening. And indeed, that’s exactly what I experienced” – Sadguna Patel
“Upon being invited to join this sacred Yatra, we felt an irresistible pull to participate. Encompassing numerous holy sites in its itinerary, we eagerly embarked on this journey, grateful for the profound significance it holds” – Madhubhai Patel
“The pinnacle of our journey undoubtedly was the Ganga Aarti. It was a truly special moment for us to partake in the Sankalpam and shodasopachara puja to Ma Ganga. For four single South Indian ladies like us, such an opportunity seemed like a dream beyond reach. We are immensely grateful for the efforts made to turn this seemingly impossible mission into a beautiful reality.” – Mrs Geetha Devi KS
“When I embarked on this journey with 20 fellow travellers, I was uncertain about what awaited me. However, what unfolded surpassed all my expectations, particularly the euphoric moments we shared at certain destinations, such as the mesmerising Haridwar Aarti on the banks of the sacred Ganga River, and our visits to the serene ISKCON temple and the enchanting Prem temple.” – Dr Usha Devi Venkataraman
The entire report can be read here:
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