Indian Diaspora throng Eden Park in large numbers to welcome Lord Rama in Auckland; View Pics
Indian Diaspora joins Shobha Yatra to welcome idols of Lord Rama from
India; Rituals performed at Bhartiya Temple ahead of Pran Pratishtha Ceremony in Wellington
Babusahahi Bureau
Auckland, New Zealand, January 22, 2024: On the eve of Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, a religious fervour gripped New Zealand on Sunday (21 January) with special ceremonies of idols of Lord
Rama and Mata Sita, brought from India by Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF), at Bhartiya Mandir Auckland and darshan of the sacred idols at a mass community programme at Outer Oval, Eden Park in Auckland.
Large number of people from Indian diaspora were present at the Shri Ram Mandir for 'shuddhikaran' (purification) and Vastra Grahan ceremonies of the idols, brought to New Zealand by IMF Convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu along with an Akshat Kalash (urn with worshipped rice) after a nearly 13,000-kilometre journey from India, by the head priest of the temple Pandit Upendra Shastri.
Some of devotees burst into tears after getting first glimpse of the idols as emotions ran high during the sacred event as chants of ‘Ek Hi Naara, Ek Ki Naam, Jai Shree Ram Jai Shree Ram and ‘Ram Lalla ki Jai Ho’ reverberated in the air while the temple priests performed Puja and sacred rituals according to the muhurta.
After the extensive holy ceremonies, idols were carried in a procession by road to Outer Oval, Eden Park in Auckland for Darshan following a Mahayagna performed by 30 priests from all over New Zealand in equal number of Kunds amid chanting of Vedic mantras and reciting of devotional songs.
Priests of different mandirs of New Zealand sought blessings for PM Modi during the Mahayagya performed at the Eden Park in Auckland. The Hindu Community of Auckland said PM Modi has kept his promise to build a grand monumental Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and it has been a long wait of about 500 years that the aspirations of billions of people is getting fulfilled.
While participating in the rituals performed to welcome idols of Lord Rama from India, the youth of Indian Diaspora said they were all eagerly waiting to visit Ayodhya and through the Ram Mandir, PM Modi has reconnected the Indian Youth with the country’s rich culture, traditions, and rituals.
The South Indian Community of Indian Diaspora living in Auckland said through Ayodhya Mandir, PM Modi has united the whole nation and spread the message of love in the whole world.
PM Modi championed the Ayodhya Shri Ram Mandir dream: New Zealand Cabinet Ministers David Seymour, Minister for Regulation who is slated to be the next Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2025 said, “Jai Shri Ram. It’s a wonderful celebration of a monument that would last thousands of years. I want to congratulate everybody in India and especially Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ram Temple is a
testament to what humans can do.”
“It’s truly a beautiful temple. It reminds me of words of John Keats (poet) beauty is truth, truth is beauty. Ram Temple is perfect example of truth and beauty combined with humanity’s effort to create such monuments of faith, ingenuity and belief. I wish Modi ji courage and wisdom and strength to see the challenges of over a billion people before they become crucial,” he added.
On being asked if he wants to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Seymour said, “We will discuss the opportunity with Indian government if they are planning to invite politicians from New Zealand to India.”
Melissa Lee, Minister for Ethnic Communities New Zealand, conveyed her wishes to the Indian Diaspora, especially those in New Zealand, on the realization of the Ayodhya Shri Ram Temple dream.
“Reviving the sacred birthplace of Lord Ram and going back to history to establish a connection is a fantastic thing. Prime Minister Modi has been a champion of the Ram Mandir project, and it is clearly because of his efforts that it has happened.
Congratulations to PM Modi on the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya after more than 500 years, and congratulations to the entire nation for achieving this monumental feat,” she said.
Lee said PM Modi has been elected as the Prime Minister multiple times, which shows his commitment to take India forward, fostering economic growth, and developing better relations with the rest of the world.
“PM Modi is respected globally, and he does the best for the people of India. We are keen to improve our relationship with India, and the prospect of PM Luxon visiting India, and PM Modi visiting New Zealand, would be truly remarkable. Closer the ties between New Zealand and India, better the both the countries will benefit as a result,” she added.
Fortunate to witness Ram Lalla’s homecoming in Ayodhya, PM Modi spreading message of universal brotherhood Pandit Upendra Shastri, the head priest Bhartiya Mandir in Auckland said, “We are very fortunate to witness the homecoming of Bhagwan Ram to Ayodhya in our
lifetime which is taking place after a long wait of 500 years. With Mahayagya, Pran Pratistha and Murti Sathapana ceremonies being performed in New Zealand with Vedic rituals and Hindu traditions, we are feeling as if we are celebrating the true spirit and teachings of Bhagwan Ram in Ayodhya itself.”
“By constructing Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a unique and spiritual connection with the entire world community. Modi ji has spread the message of universal brotherhood and peaceful co-existence in the entire world and have taken giant leaps to revive and preserve Hindu pilgrimage sites and rich Indian heritage and promote Hindu Dharam all across the world,” he added.
IMF Founder congratulates Hindu community & Indian Diaspora for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
IMF Convener Satnam Singh Sandhu conveyed his wishes to the entire Hindu community and members of Indian Diaspora for the historic establishment of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with the blessings of Prime Minister Modi.
He said,Shri Ram Mandir in Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya is the symbol of emotion, our culture, eternal faith, faith and nationalism. Finally, after a long wait of 500 years, the Ram temple has been constructed in Ayodhya. Devotees of Shri Ram, the entire Hindu Community, and people across the world can now witness the beauty of the sacred and magnificent structure the country has been waiting for.
Sandhu expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his unwavering commitment to ensure the upliftment of every community over the past ten years and said that he took several initiatives to promote Hindu values and ideologies and preserve the Hindu pilgrimage sites for generations to come.
During the last 10 years of PM Modi, the government has ensured the inauguration of the Rs 350-crore Mahakal Lok Corridor in Ujjain. The Modi Government has paid special heed to restoration and renovation of Hindu temples such as Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, Somnath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Raghunath Temple in Srinagar. Moreover, the Char Dham Project of the government is underway, which will ensure an easy commute to Hindu pilgrimage sites – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunautri," he added.
Hindu Community leaders hail PM Modi for fulfilling the centuries-old dream of ‘Ram Rajya’ in Ayodhya
Sunil Dass, President Hindu Foundation New Zealand said thanked PM Modi for the great opportunity to witness the Pran Pratistha of Ram Lalla Mandir in Ayodhya. “Karnataka wants Modi ji back in power, India wants Modi ji back in power and New Zealand wants Modi ji back in power. Jai Shree Ram,” he added.
Hemlata Jain, a member of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, “We have been waiting for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony for years. Now that it has become a reality, there can’t be a bigger joy than this for us. This has become possible only because of the Prime Minister Modi otherwise it was pending for many decades. Many obstacles were there but Modi has done a great job to ensure construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,”.
Anil Kumar Jain, a member of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, said, “PM Modi can be described as an avatar of Lord Rama. After all, Gods come into this world in any form. We get to know about their divinity only through the works or miracles they do. We were waiting for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir for over 500 years and no government after the Independence did anything to get Lord Rama’s Janmabhoomi (place of
birth) back. Even bullets were fired at Ram Sevaks in 1992. We want Modi ji back as
PM in 2024 and wish he becomes India’s PM for ever. He is a pure soul who is taking
the Sanātana Dharma forward and creating Hindu Rashtra in India,”.
Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya an Emotion for the living generation, says Indian
Diaspora in New Zealand
A 90-year-old Indian woman, residing in Auckland conveyed her blessing for Prime
Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the dream cherished by generations for over
five centuries. She said, “PM Modi has delivered the promise of Ram Mandir in
Ayodhya, which was unthinkable for any other Prime Minister till now. Not only has
he built a majestic temple in Ram Janmabhoomi but has also taken care of all the
facilities for the convenience of the pilgrims visiting Ayodhya.”
She added, “Considering the sentiments of the pilgrims, PM Modi is ensuring the
transformation of the temple town through a futuristic planning, which includes
building an airport, hospital, and other amenities, which have been made available
for the people even before the inauguration of the temple.”
Siva Kilari, Candidate New Zealand National Party, who hails from Tirupati, Andhra
Pradesh in India, said, “So proud to be participating in the celebrations of
establishment of Ayodhya Shri Ram Mandir in Auckland. Ayodhya holds immense
significance for Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Ram. And the BJP government led by
PM Modi has delivered on its promise of reconstructing the temple in Janmabhoomi
after so many years,”
He further expressed hope for PM Modi’s continued premiership in the next term,
emphasizing the need for his leadership not only in Andhra Pradesh and South India
but across the entire country and the world.
Another Indian woman in New Zealand, said, “We are participating in the
celebration of Shri Ram's return to his home after 500 years, and we express our
gratitude to PM Modi for providing us the opportunity to witness this historic
moment. We hope for PM Modi to return as the Prime Minister, with Bhagwa
(saffron flag), and enhance the sanctity of this Utsav (celebration).” She added, “You
are bringing our Lord Shri Ram back and we will bring you back. We are waiting for
you in 2024.”
Member of Telugu Community living in Auckland, said, “We have eagerly awaited
the return of our Lord Shri Ram to his home in Ayodhya for 500 years. Now that it is
happening, we are filled with happiness, which cannot be expressed in words. It’s an
emotion for us. While our ancestors cherished this dream, they were unable to
witness its fulfilment. But it is becoming a reality in our times, and no one is more
fortunate than our generation to witness this historic moment.”
He added, “The construction of the temple in Ayodhya conveys a powerful message
not only to Hindus but also to other communities as well, because the values of
Maryada Purshottam serve as an inspiration for all. Previous governments were not
prepared for this, but PM Modi has done it with so much awareness that every
citizen, every religious community welcomed it wholeheartedly. Everyone is
celebrating it together like a festival.” He further expressed confidence in PM Modi’s
leadership to lead the country forwards and upwards.
Another Indian woman in New Zealand said, “The journey (movement) to
reconstruct the temple at the sacred birthplace of Shri Ram began a long time ago,
and we are extremely happy witnessing its fulfilment after years of struggle. Even
though the event is taking place back in our country (India), we are celebrating it
here in New Zealand as well. And it is a great achievement for everyone, and we
Indians are very proud of it.”
Narasimha Rao, “This programme here today is such a beautiful programme. We feel
as if Ayodhya has come to New Zealand and Ram Ji has also come here. We ae really
happy to attend this programme. “Nothing was done for Ram Mandir for so many
years. We are happy this temple is finally being inaugurated tomorrow. We wish PM
Modi all the success,”.
Crediting him for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, NRI Youth hail Modi as best PM
Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram, Jai Shri Ram’, Diksha Agarwal, an Indian entrepreneur in Auckland, said, “The return of Lord Ram has brought immense joy to me. And
celebrating the warm welcome of his homecoming in Auckland is a privilege, and I’m feeling incredibly blessed. I’m overwhelmed with emotions and getting goosebumps. Thank you from the depths of my heart, Modi Ji, for bringing Shri Ram back.” Anuj, an Indian child residing in New Zealand who played a character in Ram Leela, elated over the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, said, “I am very happy that Ram
Temple has been constructed in Ayodhya. Thank you very much. Modi is the best Prime Minister of India.”
Another person from Indian diaspora said, “Our ancestors have done a lot in the
past 500 years, but nothing changed on the ground. Modi ji has done really
noteworthy work, and we need to move forward like this in future as well.
“Modi ji is a big factor in achieving the milestone of constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In 70 years’, history of independent India no other politicians ever tried to do this. We need strong leadership of Modi ji to take the nation forward. We need strong representation at QUAD and permanent membership of UNSC,” he said.
Another devotee, Mandhir Singh Negi, “I am extremely happy that a grand event has been organized here in New Zealand to celebrate the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. It feels like that we are in India and witnessing the ceremony in Ayodhya itself. We have not even thought that this would ever happen but owing to the efforts of Modi ji has made construction of Ram Mandir possible in Ayodhya.”