MELBOURNE, September 6, 2024: It was a day of reverence, bhajan, kirtan, music, dancing and ‘parshadam’ in Cranbourne South, where the fast growing Nepalese community today celebrated the ‘Haritalika Teej’ festival 2024.
Massively attended by migrants from Nepal, this colourful and traditional Hindu festival is where married women feast for their husbands’ well-being. The festival honours goddess Parvati and worship Shiva. The aim is to seek the blessings of Shiva and Parvati for a blissful marital life and protection of their husbands from evil forces.
Married Nepalese women in red sarees participated in the special ‘puja’ (prayer) and ‘aarti’ done on the occasion. A priest conducted the prayers as the event moved ahead with lots of VIP’s and prominent communities members joining. The program kicked off with some of the guests first doing the rituals followed by all those present.
The place is a makeshift Pashupatinath Temple, and the Astha Nepali Hindu Society of Victoria is all set to soon acquire land to construct a Pashupatinath Temple in Melbourne. Federal MP, Cassandra Fernando, Member for Holt, addressed the devotees. Other who addressed the gathering were Bwe Thay, Dy. Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Vice President Lal ji, Sunny Duggal, Nirankari Mandal, Neeraj Nanda, Editor South Asia Times (SAT), and organiser Dr. Raju Adhakari.
As the day passed more and people joined the event dressed in colourful outfits and one could see many ladies dancing to mark the festival. The greenery around the place added a natural ambience to the festivities. ‘Parshadam’ was served which included fruits also. The guests mingled with the devotees and celebrations peeked with lots of music.
Talking to South Asia Times (SAT), Dr. Adhakari said, ” “The Hindu Nepali Teej festival celebration encourages cultural affinity and raise community social and mental health wellbeing along with spiritual awakening.”
The event reflected the multicultural ethos of Victoria and Australia. There were people of different communities celebrating the Haritalika Teej, consolidating unity in diversity.
