Rama Navami celebrations began at the Shiv Mandir Temple in South Auckland on April 11 and would continue until April 20, with nightly Pooja conducted by Acharya Kashi Nath Sapkota.
Devotees also have the opportunity of listening to the nightly discourse by Pandit Prakash Narayan Sharma.
The Katha, held from 730 pm to 9 pm is followed by Prasad and vegetarian meal.
The final celebration will be held from 10 am to 12 pm followed by lunch on April 20.
Devotees keen on private prayers (daily from 615 pm) can contact our Priest.
The Katha is based on the great epic Ramayana, evincing the interest of Indo-Fijians.
Bala Kanda
The first part of Ramayana is the Bala Kanda, which marks the birth of Lord Rama and the reason for this Avatar of Vishnu.
Ayodhya King Dasharatha had three queens, namely, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi.
He was childless for a long time and hence performs ‘Putra-Kameshti Yagna.’
As a consequence, Rama is first born to Kausalya, Bharata to Kaikeyi and Lakhman and Shatrughan to Sumitra.
These sons are endowed to various degrees with the essence of the Lord Vishnu, who took the human form to vanquish Ravana, the King of Lanka, who was oppressing the Gods. When Rama was 16 years old, sage Vishwamitra comes to the court of Dasharatha seeking help to destroy demons, who were disturbing their penance.
He chose Rama and Lakshman and teaches them the ways of obtaining supernatural weapons and the power to conquer the evil demons.
The interesting story continues with the marriage of Rama to Sita.
Other Kandas
Ayodhya Kanda describes the preparations for Rama’s coronation and his exile into the forest. The third part, Aranya Kanda, narrates the forest life of Rama and the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana. The fourth part, Kishkinda Kanda, is about Rama’s meeting with Hanuman, destruction of Vali, the King of Apes and the coronation of his younger brother Sugriva to the throne of Kishkinda.
The fifth part, called, Sundara Kanda, narrates the heroism of Hanuman, his flight to Lanka and meeting with Sita. The sixth Section contains Yuddha Kanda, describing the battle between Rama and Ravana and their armies.
Uttara Kanda comprises the final years of Rama, Sita and his brothers, the birth of Lava and Kusha (to Rama and Sita) and the conclusion of the Avatar.
Hanuman Jayanti
Indians in New Zealand are blessed to have access to a dedicated Shiv Temple, constructed as per the scriptures, under the guidance of Acharya Maha Mandleshwar Swami Shivendra Puriji Maharaj.
The Temple complex has a community hall, available for weddings, religious and cultural programmes and other events, at the discretion of the Trust. The Centre conducts free Hindi classes on Sundays
Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated on April 25, details of which are available at the Temple.
Prem Chand is President of the Sanatan Shivarchan Trust. He can be contacted on (09) 2722905 or 021-2791234. Mandir Telephone (09) 2675290
