Raksha Bandhan Festival
Kia ora, Namaste, Greetings & Jai Swaminarayan
Respected Community Leader/Volunteer
On behalf of the HOTA (Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations) Forum, it is our immense pleasure to invite you to celebrate Raksha Bandhan Festival – Universal Fellowship & Veneration of Womanhood with Hindu/Dharma-based ethnic communities at 3.00 pm on Saturday, 17 August 2024, at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Avondale, Auckland.
Raksha Bandhan is one of the key festivals celebrated by the Hindu community worldwide. It is celebrated by tying a Rakhi (a holy thread) by one person to another (e.g., sister to brother, or by a member of one community to another). Rakhi is a token of love, fraternity and affection which symbolises the vow to protect each other and promote life values for the benefit of the entire human race. In a traditional congregational function, the Rakhi is first tied to a senior person. In this function, the participants not only develop a sense of love and affection amongst
themselves but also affirm their loyalty and devotion to the society in which they live.
Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations (HOTA) Forum was set up with the purpose of involving Hindu community leaders and increasing capability for large scale Hindu collaboration at the New Zealand level for a common purpose and to emphasise the Hindu integrative concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one big family) and Unity in Diversity. Over 50 NZ Hindu organisations, temples and associations are part of the HOTA Forum.
Each year, one of the HOTA Forum members becomes the Host and leads and organises this annual festival. That means every organisation has an opportunity to lead this community development project. This year, the Host is BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a global Hindu organisation dedicated to the spiritual and social upliftment of society. Founded on the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, BAPS endeavours to achieve the spiritual, moral, and social rejuvenation of individuals and families through its various spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian activities. With a strong presence worldwide, BAPS strives to foster harmony, spirituality, and community well-being. BAPS Charities actively supports a wide range of community services, including health and wellness initiatives, educational services, humanitarian relief, and environmental protection activities, significantly benefiting New Zealand society.
Event Information Summary:
- Venue: 21 Barrhead Place, Avondale, Auckland 0600
- Date: Saturday, 17 August 2024
- Time: 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm
- Please RSVP by 2nd August 2024
- Please find attached the Event Flyer
Raksha Bandhan festival is open to all, and it aims to bring community leaders and dance groups from several ethnic communities together to celebrate this unique festival that promotes universal fellowship and veneration of womanhood. Some ethnic communities living in New Zealand who are expected to actively participate are from India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, China, Korea, Japan, South Africa and many more countries. This festival helps all volunteers, especially the youth and women from different groups, to grow their skills by volunteering, helping, and organising the festival.
We believe the Raksha Bandhan festival will help grow a socially inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand by involving not only Dharma-based ethnic communities but also the local Maori community and Kiwis; help develop capability and ability within ethnic communities, especially youth and women; and help support ethnic communities to thrive through the practice and celebration of culture through dance performances.
We would be deeply honoured by your presence and look forward to your participation in this esteemed event. Your support and encouragement will greatly inspire the youth and community members involved.
Thank you for considering this invitation. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you and are grateful for your continued support.
With sincere regards,
Sidd Doshi & Parth Patel
BAPS NZ
PR Volunteer
0224743348 & 02102571864
BAPS Global
www.baps.org/Global-Network.
BAPS Charities NZ