In a joyous celebration, filled with enlightening speeches and skits, devotees from across Auckland commemorated the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. The occasion was a beautiful and emotional tribute celebrating and appreciating the saintly virtues and services of guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj. It also emphasized the importance of having a guru who guides devotees from material darkness to spiritual enlightenment.
On this special occasion, BAPS New Zealand welcomed and honored The Rt. Hon. Chris Hipkins, Prime Minister of New Zealand. With him were Labour Party MPs Dr. Anae Neru Leavasa and Vanushi Walters, and Labour Party candidate Kharag Singh.
Addressing the audience, the prime minister acknowledged His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the mandir’s volunteers and attendees. Mr Hipkins recalled his visit to the BAPS Mandir in Wellington and expressed his best wishes for the new mandir being built there. Commending the work of BAPS, he said, “BAPS plays an incredibly important role in bringing people together and fostering a strong Hindu community. You provide value-based spiritual education, and create a platform for people to both preserve and promote their cultural and spiritual values. I want to commend you for all of the work that you do in our community.”
The celebration concluded with arti and mantra pushpanjali.