Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 16, 2021
Music, dance, folk art and food will be among the highlights of the ‘Monsoon Festival’ scheduled to be held at Fickling Convention Centre, located at 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Transport and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff will be among the guests at the Festival being organised by the Aoturoa Academy Charitable Trust in association with the New Zealand Maharashtra Mandal and other organisations.
Organiser Shailesh Bagwe said that the Monsoon Festival will bring the cultural and traditional values of the Marathi-speaking people, highlighting one of the most important occurrences in the Hindu Calendar, namely ‘Shravan.’
“The month of Shravan, which occurs during July/August, is observed with piety in Maharashtra and many other parts of India. Shravan also brings forth many festivals that are unique to Hindus throughout the world. Aoturoa Academy Charitable Trust has organised the Monsoon Festival not only to pay homage to our religious and cultural values but also create awareness among New Zealanders,” he said.
Significance of Shravan
Shravan is the fifth month in the Hindu calendar, beginning in late July from the first day of Full Moon and ending during the third week of August, the day of the next Full Moon. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Avani and is the fifth month of the Solar Year.
In the Lunar religious calendar, Shravan begins on the New Moon and is the fourth month of the year. This is an important month for all Hindus as it is connected to the arrival of the South-West monsoons. For many Hindus, Shravan is a month of fasting, either on Mondays, as obeisance to Lord Shiva or on Tuesdays, offering prayers to Goddess Parvathi.
Mr Bagwe said that many festivities are held during the Monsoon season.
“Krishna Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, occurs on the Eighth day after the Full Moon. It is celebrated with piety. Raksha Bandhan, also called ‘Rakhi Purnima’ or just ‘Rakhi,’ will be celebrated on August 22, 2021 in most parts of the world as a part of the Hindu tradition. It denotes the bond of protection between brothers and sisters,” he said.
Naryal Poornima
In Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, Shravan Full Moon is celebrated as Narali Purnima. On this day, coconut (Naryal in Gujarati, Naral in Marathi) is offered to Lord Varuna, God of the Sea. In the coastal regions of Maharashtra Konkan, Naral Purnima is the beginning of the fishing season.
“Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day after Amavasya of Shravan. Nagaraj, the Snake God is worshipped on this day, while the last day of Shravan is celebrated as Pola, with the farmers worshipping the bull,” Mr Bagwe said.
