Lara Zijl Hundreds of devotees, families, and community members gathered at the Vedic Centre in Papatoetoe on Saturday evening to mark the birthday of Gurudev Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Ji. Hosted by the Bageshwar Dham Sewadar Group New Zealand, the free community celebration brought together people of all ages for an evening of bhajans, prayers, spiritual reflection, cake cutting, Mahaprasad, and heartfelt community bonding. Though New Zealand lies thousands of kilometres from Bageshwar Dham in India, the spiritual connection among devotees remained as strong as ever.
One of the most memorable moments came when Gurudev appeared live via video link on the large screen, blessing the gathering and acknowledging the devotion of his New Zealand followers. As his image appeared, the hall resonated with chants of “Jai Bageshwar Dham Sarkar” and “Jai Shri Ram.” Devotees folded their hands in prayer, many with tears of joy, as they received darshan and blessings from their spiritual guide. Though the interaction was brief, it became the defining moment of the celebration, making months of planning worthwhile for the New Zealand Sewadar family.
The Vedic Centre was beautifully decorated with portraits of Gurudev, revered saints, and Lord Hanuman, along with colourful floral arrangements and balloons marking the birthday occasion. Families arrived in traditional Indian attire, and children enthusiastically participated alongside their parents and grandparents. The evening reflected not only devotion but also the importance of preserving Indian culture and spiritual traditions for future generations growing up in New Zealand.
The devotional programme featured a soul-stirring Bhajan Sandhya led by Pt. Ashwini Sharma, whose heartfelt singing inspired the congregation throughout the evening. Devotees joined in singing hymns dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Gurudev, transforming the venue into a space filled with positive energy, prayer, and spiritual reflection. Rather than being passive observers, families became active participants—singing together, clapping to the rhythm of the bhajans, and celebrating their shared faith.
A special birthday cake cutting ceremony added a joyful family atmosphere to the spiritual gathering. As the cake was cut, the hall echoed with applause, devotional chants, and smiling faces. Children gathered around the stage while elders watched proudly, creating a moment that combined celebration with deep respect for their spiritual leader. The cake cutting symbolised not only Gurudev’s birthday but also the collective gratitude of devotees for the guidance, inspiration, and spiritual teachings he continues to share with millions across the world.
The celebration attracted several respected members of Auckland’s Indian community, along with community leaders, social representatives, and political figures. Their presence reflected the growing recognition of the work carried out by the Bageshwar Dham Sewadar Group New Zealand, whose activities continue to unite people through spirituality, volunteer service (seva), and community engagement. The evening was marked by warmth, humility, and mutual respect, with guests from diverse backgrounds coming together in a spirit of harmony and devotion.
While the programme itself lasted only a few hours, its success reflected weeks of planning and the tireless efforts of volunteers (sewadars). The organisers expressed sincere appreciation to every Sewadar who dedicated their time and energy to preparing the venue, welcoming guests, coordinating registrations, managing stage activities, organising audiovisual presentations, serving Mahaprasad, and ensuring every family felt comfortable throughout the evening. Special recognition was given to the organising team, including Ravi Gilhotra, Soni Ji, Shraddha Kapoor, Akhilesh Choudhary, Munni Ji, and Ginni Parvezz. The organisers also acknowledged Pt. Ashwini Sharma for leading the devotional bhajans that became one of the evening’s defining highlights.
No spiritual gathering is complete without sharing a meal together, and the celebration concluded with the serving of Mahaprasad to all attendees. Families, children, elders, and volunteers sat together to enjoy the blessed meal, reinforcing the values of equality, humility, and togetherness that remain central to Sanatan Dharma. Many attendees praised not only the quality of the arrangements but also the warmth and hospitality shown by the volunteers throughout the evening. Visitors commented that every guest was welcomed like family, creating an atmosphere that was both peaceful and joyful.
For many families raising children in New Zealand, events such as these play a deeper role than simply marking a religious occasion. They provide younger generations with an opportunity to experience Indian traditions, devotional music, seva, community participation, and cultural values in an environment that encourages learning through doing. Children watched their parents pray together, joined the celebrations, met other families, and experienced first-hand the values of faith, respect, and service that form the foundation of Sanatan culture. In an increasingly multicultural New Zealand, such gatherings continue to strengthen community bonds while preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
As the evening concluded with prayers, blessings, and smiles, there was a shared feeling among those present that this had been much more than a birthday celebration. It was an expression of unwavering faith, a celebration of seva, and a reminder that distance cannot weaken spiritual connections. Most importantly, it reflected a growing family of devotees in New Zealand who continue to dedicate themselves to Gurudev’s teachings through humility, service, and devotion. For everyone who attended, the opportunity to celebrate Gurudev’s birthday together and receive his blessings online will remain a cherished memory for years to come.
The Bageshwar Dham Sewadar Group New Zealand thanked every devotee, volunteer, supporter, and guest whose presence helped make the celebration a resounding success. As chants of “Jai Bageshwar Dham Sarkar” echoed through the Vedic Centre one final time, the evening concluded with a powerful message that resonated throughout the hall: faith knows no borders, and the spirit of Bageshwar Dham continues to inspire hearts across New Zealand.
