The almost two-month-long Indian festive season in New Zealand started at the end of September with celebrations surrounding the nine days of Navratri, a Hindu festival celebrating the mother goddess Durga.
The celebrations, which began on 22 September, continue through 2 October in all major cities, including Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga.
In Auckland, Durga puja (worship) celebrations commemorating the goddess' victory over the demon king Mahishasura were organized by the Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand and Dishari NZ, while Bangaliana Multicultural Christchurch led festivities in the South Island's largest city.
Thousands gather on Auckland's North Shore for garba dancing as part of Navratri celebrations. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
"[We] marked our fifth Durga puja celebration this year with great enthusiasm on Saturday," Bangaliana Multicultural Christchurch spokesperson Sushruti Adhikary said.
"The day began with sacred rituals and vibrant decorations, followed by a marketplace full of food, stalls and fun activities for children," Adhikary said.
"Guests enjoyed a traditional Bengali lunch, while the afternoon came alive with multicultural performances showcasing the diversity of Christchurch.
Bangaliana Multicultural Christchurch led Durga puja festivities in the South Island's largest city. Photo: Supplied
"The rhythmic beat of the dhak (a traditional Indian percussion instrument) set the stage for joyous dancing, and the celebrations concluded with visarjan (the immersion of goddess' idols in water) and sindoor khela (a celebration of womanhood by married Bengali Hindu women through the exchange of vermillion). It was a truly memorable day of culture, unity and community spirit,"
The Probasee Bengalee Association of New Zealand celebrated India's national television channel, Doordarshan, as it marked a half century of Bengali broadcasting.
"The theme added a beautiful touch of nostalgia and cultural pride to the festivities," association spokesperson Sonali Banerjee said.
"The celebrations began on Friday evening with Agomoni, a special cultural performance welcoming ... Durga's arrival home," Banerjee said.
"The festivities continued throughout Saturday and Sunday with a vibrant mix of rituals, music, dance and community events."
Meanwhile, the Gujarati community in Auckland worshipped the mother goddess with traditional garba dancing - done in circles - at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden Terrace and the Swaminarayan Temple complex in Papatoetoe.
"The Auckland Indian Association has been organising this festival ever since we have existed - for the last 105 years," said Puspa Lekhinwal, president of association.
"Earlier it was in a small form but now we do it full on for all nine days at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre."
Thousands gather on Auckland's North Shore for garba dancing as part of Navratri celebrations. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Darshan Bayolla, a dance enthusiast who comes to the event for all nine days each year with his wife and two children, won the best dressed male award during the festivities Friday.
"We moved to New Zealand six years back, and it's our way of remembering what we left in India," Bayolla said.
"Durga puja and garba dancing is an important tradition in our family. My wife also fasts on all nine days and pray to the goddess for our family's welfare."
One of the country's largest garba events took place on 26 and 27 September at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, organised by the North Shore Indian Association.
Jigar Patel, events organiser for the association, has been involved in the celebration for the past 16 years.
"Over the past decade, this has become the largest garba night in the country with over 10,000 people attending across two days. It's all because of [goddess Durga's] blessings," Patel said.
Jigar Patel is the events organiser of the North Shore Indian Association. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Similar festivities took place in Hamilton, Tauranga and Christchurch.
The Wellington Indian Association led Navratri festivities in the capital.
The Indian community planned to celebrate Dussehra (Dashain in Nepal) on 2 October to mark the victory of Hindu god Ram over the demon Ravan.
On this day, an effigy of Ravan would be burned to signify the triumph of good over evil.
In the past, the New Zealand Nepal Society had organised Dashain celebrations in Auckland. However, the event has been cancelled this year due to the ongoing unrest in the Himalayan nation.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), colloquially known as the Hare Krishna movement, planned to organise its annual Dussehra celebration on 4 October at its Kumeu premises in West Auckland.
