Kemps Creek (Australia): The Fuldol Festival, a vibrant part of the Holi celebrations, was held at the newly opened BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct in Kemps Creek near Sydney. It attracted people from across Sydney and visitors from interstate and overseas, including the US, UK, New Zealand, and Japan.
Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, attended the occasion, praising the meaningful message behind the festival. "Holi is a festival of colours that reminds us of the triumph of good over evil - a hope that continues to inspire us," he said.
He said, “This mandir is not just a place of worship. It's a place of belonging, of tranquility and peace. It's a place that makes everyone feel at home, regardless of their faith or background."
The Fuldol Festival, a key highlight of the larger Holi celebrations, was a feast for the senses, with music, dance, traditional performances, and spectacular displays of colour. The festival symbolises the victory of good over evil and the renewal of life.
BAPS spiritual leader, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, 92, led the celebrations with his blessings showering the crowd with sacred water. His presence added a deep spiritual layer to the event.
The mandir was consecrated on March 6 by Mahant Swami Maharaj. He also performed the Murti Pratishtha of the 49 feet Tapo Murti of Nilkanth Varni at its expansive 25-acre precinct in Sydney. The statue depicts the youthful form of Lord Swaminarayan in a meditative pose. Surrounding it are 14 inscribed epigraphs, each highlighting timeless virtues such as integrity, self-discipline, tolerance, service, and love - values said to have been exemplified by Neelkanth Varni during his legendary 12,000-km journey across India and Nepal.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior federal ministers Chris Bowen and Michelle Rowland, who welcomed Mahant Swami Maharaj to Sydney for the consecration ceremony. The statue and the surrounding gardens took nearly a year to build.
