Sushruti Adhikary
Christchurch, February 17, 2025
This year marks the Fifth Anniversary of the Bangaliana Multicultural Christchurch Group, which began with a few families and has now grown with the support of many helping hands each year.
Preparations for Saraswati Pooja have been underway for the last three months, with every individual playing an important role.
February 2, 2025 was a truly special day for us.
We started by getting ready and bringing our children’s books to place at the feet of Saraswati Maa for Blessings. The decorations and stage were set the day before, and the morning began with the final touches for the Pooja.
While some members prepared fruits and prasad, others set up chairs for the arriving guests.
The Purohit began the Pooja, and everyone gathered around to witness the ceremony.
The excitement for Pushpanjali was palpable, and with the large number of attendees, we had several rounds of it.
Following that, we held the Haathe Khori Ceremony, where preschoolers wrote with chalk on a slate to mark the start of their educational journey.
It was heartwarming to see so many children take part. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a delicious vegetarian lunch, complete with Tomato Chutney, Gulab Jamun and Fruit Custard.
Cultural Performances
The afternoon was packed with activities for children, including a bouncy castle, face painting, painting sessions, bubbles, and even a juggler to keep them entertained. After lunch, we transitioned into our cultural performances, where several Christchurch residents showcased their talents.
During the performances, we served Indian snacks, and each performer received a small memento to commemorate the day.
The event wrapped up with fun games like musical chairs and marble races, with participants of all ages joining in. It was great to see people from all over the world coming to see our Pujo and learning our culture.
It was a day filled with joy and togetherness, catering to every age group.
Through this Celebration, we aim to pass on our rich culture and traditions to the next generation, while ensuring that everyone has a wonderful time.
Sushruti Adhikary was among the organisers of the Saraswati Pooja held in Christchurch on February 2, 2025.
