Lara Zijl Zealandia News — Auckland
There are evenings when a community does not merely gather but truly arrives — when the accumulated devotion of years past crystallises, for a few golden hours, into something visible, audible, and utterly unforgettable. Such was the character of the fortnight just gone in Papatoetoe, where more than 1,100 Aucklanders, drawn from every corner of the Hindu and wider multicultural community, converged for two landmark celebrations: DharmaFest 2026 and the HOTA Raksha Bandhan Festival. Together, they stood as resplendent proof of what the Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) has long championed — that unity, dharma, and service are not abstractions to be spoken of, but living things to be danced, sung, and shared.
A Fifth Year of Vibhinnatāyām Ekatvam
It was on Saturday, 12 September, that the Swaminarayan Complex on Wentworth Avenue threw open its doors to more than 600 souls for DharmaFest 2026, organised by Hindu Youth New Zealand (HYNZ) — the youthful, energetic service division of HCNZ — in warm partnership with the International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (ISSO) New Zealand. Now blossoming into its fifth year, DharmaFest has never strayed from the founding principle that gave it birth back in 2022: Vibhinnatāyām Ekatvam — Unity in Diversity.
From ten in the morning until half past two, the complex became a living tapestry. The ceremonial lighting of the Diya opened proceedings, its flame a quiet herald of the warmth to follow, before representatives of four great Dharmic traditions rose in succession to offer their blessings — Swami Tadananda of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Retreat Centre for the Hindu tradition, Anil Kumar Jain Ji for the Jain, Surjeet Sachdeva Ji for the Sikh, and Sandra Shanmugam Harcourt together with Ashtean Harcourt for the Buddhist, Sandra weaving together Buddhist teaching and Vedantic wisdom into a message of compassion that lingered long after the words themselves had faded.
What followed was a day almost too abundant to summarise: a Surya Namaskar demonstration to greet the morning; children’s mantra chanting rising sweetly into the Auckland air; a showcase of Kathak, Bharatanatyam, shloka and Naam Jap by Sonia; a Garba workshop that had elders and toddlers alike twirling in delighted unison; a thunderous Bhangra session courtesy of the Franklin Indian Cultural Club; verses recited from Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita; and a rare, three-generation Jugalbandi in the Karnataka Sangeet style, delivered by students of Vidwan Dev Diwakar, in which the wisdom of grandparents and the exuberance of grandchildren met in a single musical breath. A spirited Dharma Quiz tested minds on everything from the Ramayana to New Zealand trivia, while an extended Bhajan Jamming session, led by Sakshi Vij, drew the whole assembly into devotional song as the day drew towards its close with a Collective Peace Prayer.
Organisers rightly hailed it as one of the largest and most inclusive Dharmic gatherings this country has yet seen — a triumph owed, HCNZ President Dr Guna Magesan and HYNZ President Komal Sahani were quick to note, to an army of volunteers, sponsors, stallholders and performers whose generosity asked for nothing in return but the joy of the day itself.
Rakhi, Remembrance, and a Season of Service
If DharmaFest was Auckland’s Hindu youth in full, joyous flower, then the HOTA Raksha Bandhan Festival that followed was its elder counterpart in dignity — a celebration of bonds that outlast any single generation. Hosted this year by ISSO Swaminarayan Temple in its capacity as HOTA Forum New Zealand Host, the festival welcomed more than 500 attendees for an afternoon in which ceremony and celebration walked hand in hand.
The Diya was lit once more, and the sacred Rakhi tied to the wrists of chief guests upon the stage, a gesture whose ancient symbolism — of care, protection, and mutual responsibility — found fresh resonance in a New Zealand context. Hon. Jenny Selesa, Member of Parliament for the Labour Party, delivered the keynote address, joined by representatives of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and leaders drawn from across the country’s rich mosaic of ethnic and faith communities.
More than fifteen cultural performances unfurled across the afternoon — a bouquet gathered from every corner of the diaspora and beyond. Sneh Sarita’s rendition of “Meri Pyaari Behena” stirred hearts with its tribute to sibling devotion; Bazinga’s Krishna-themed contemporary piece, choreographed by Swetha Chepur, brought myth into modern movement; Telangana Jagruthi NZ offered the floral splendour of Bathukamma; Punjabi Bhangra thundered from the Rivercity Punjabiz Group and Bhangra Stars alike; ISSO Swaminarayan Temple NZ presented Gujarati dance; Sangeetha Bharathi’s young Carnatic musicians filled the hall with classical grace; Vishal Nambiar offered a moving bhajan; and the Natyam School of Dance brought its Juniors, Seniors and Little Stars to the stage in Bharatanatyam, including children performing for the very first time before a public audience. A Rāmā Nritha Vihār presentation on the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva and Devi Shakti drew out the festival’s deeper meaning — Raksha Bandhan not merely as ritual, but as a living philosophy of protection, love and dharma. The NZ Sikh Women’s Association, a Chinese cultural dance group, and the Hindu Elders Foundation rounded out an afternoon that felt, in every sense, like New Zealand itself in miniature.
Honouring Those Who Serve
Perhaps the festival’s most moving chapter was reserved not for performance but for recognition. Certificates of Felicitation — honouring service that is, in the festival’s own words, “Safe, Strong and Sterling” — were presented to community leaders, elected representatives, charitable trusts and grassroots volunteers whose quiet labour so often goes unseen: from Hon. Jenny Selesa MP and Local Board representatives, to St John, Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, the Auckland Indian Association, the Hindu Elders Foundation, the NZ Sikh Women’s Association, and many more besides — each a thread in the wider fabric HOTA exists to strengthen.
Felicitations for Community Service
A central feature of the Raksha Bandhan Festival was the felicitation of individuals and organisations for their outstanding contribution to community service. Certificates of Felicitation, recognising service that is “Safe, Strong and Sterling,” were presented by HOTA Forum NZ and ISSO Swaminarayan Temple, hosted under the Hindu Council of New Zealand, to the following community leaders, elected representatives, cultural associations, charitable trusts and grassroots volunteers whose dedication, courage and service continue to strengthen the fabric of the wider community:
• Hon. Jenny Selesa MP — Labour Party
• Lalit Arya — Candidate, National Party
• Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia — Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board
• Vi Hausia — Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board
• Navtej Singh Randhawa — Radio Spice
• St John
• Bonny Naidoo — Tegel
• Ronika Devi, Shiva Bandari and Vishav Sharma — Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust
• Ramesh Bhagwan — Auckland Indian Association
• Yatish Wadhera — Hindu Elders Foundation
• Jeet Sachdev — Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust
• Gurudhari Sharma — Rajasthan Association Charitable Trust NZ
• Jit Kaur and Ranbir Saini — NZ Sikh Women’s Association
• Umesh Prasad — Bhajan Satsang Auckland
• Ankita Dhakar — Capture the Bug
• Vidushi Padma Mallela
• Sunil Kumar — Candidate, National Party
• Vidwan Dev Diwakar — Swara Raga Sudha
• Bhumit Patel — Ten Seven Security Services
Accepting the Ekta Shankh as this year’s HOTA Host, Dr Kantibhai Patel, Chair of ISSO New Zealand, offered words that captured the spirit of the entire season:
“The Ekta Shankh represents something much greater than an individual or an organisation. It represents Ekta — unity; Seva — service; and our shared responsibility to build a stronger, more harmonious and united Hindu community. Raksha Bandhan carries a beautiful and timeless message. The sacred thread symbolises care, respect, protection, responsibility and mutual support. It reminds us that our responsibility towards one another extends beyond our immediate families.”
One Dharma, Many Paths, One Humanity
Taken together, these two milestone events — drawing well over 1,100 attendees between them — stand as a shimmering testament to the philosophy HCNZ and its partner organisations have carried through the year: One Dharma, Many Paths, One Humanity. From interfaith blessings shared beneath a single flame, to classical dance forms centuries old finding new life on Auckland stages, to certificates pressed into the hands of volunteers who ask for no thanks — the season told one continuous story of a community that does not simply exist within New Zealand, but actively, joyfully, helps to build it.
The Hindu Council of New Zealand extends its gratitude to Hindu Youth New Zealand, ISSO New Zealand, HOTA Forum New Zealand, and every performer, volunteer, sponsor and dignitary who lent their hands and hearts to the occasion.
Looking ahead: the community’s calendar of milestones continues, with the 3rd Hindu Elders Conference set for Saturday, 3 October, once again at the ISSO Swaminarayan Complex in Papatoetoe. Registrations are open now at hcnz.org/event/3rd-hindu-elders-conference.
