Irrespective of their place of origin, Hindus will celebrate the ensuing ‘Ganesh Chaturthi,’ the Birthday of the ‘Remover of all obstacles’ with piety, accompanied by Bhajans and special prayers.
Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 19 this year.
Papakura Temple
As in the past, the Ganesha Temple in the Auckland suburb of Papakura would witness hundreds of devotees from various parts of the country coming together to pray, chant mantras and witness floral and other tributes to the Lord.
Chief Priest Parameswaran (Chandru) has planned an elaborate, 11-day programme that would turn the Temple into a grand venue of rituals.
The favourite of the masses will be in the Lord’s sartorial resplendency, complete with jewellery and decorations each evening, when the priest performs the ‘Ganesha Divya Namavali.’
According to general belief, such a sanctum sanctorum is representative of the original abode in Pillayar Patti, located in Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu and hence invokes the same piety and divinity.
As on August 23, more than 50 devotees had registered their names for sponsorship of ‘Kalasam’ at $101.
Mr Chandru said that opportunity may be available for a few more sponsors.