The women committee of Australian Bhutanese Welfare Organization (ABWO) under the coordination of Maya Adhikari organised the Teej amidst special event at the North Melbourne Institute of Technology (NMIT) Hall in Broadmeadows.
The celebration was marked in three stages – Haritalika Teej puja on August 31, Rishi Panchami puja on September 2 at Hem Lal Adhikari’s residence where women from the community gathered and performed puja under the guidance of Pandit Mitra Lal Adhikari followed by gathering in the NMIT Hall where more than 230 community members participated. They performed traditional dances of teej, sangini by the senior women group and concluded by Vajan and Kirtan. Pandit Adhikari inculcated the importance and meaning of Teej to young boys and girls.
On the September 4, Bhutanese participated in the Ganesh Chauthi celebration organized by the Darebin Council. Statue of Lord Ganesh was made available through Australian devotee Mr Ken, who has been doing this for last 7 years, for the function.
The function was held at Darebin Arts and Centre Hall with all rituals and traditional formalities where members from ABWO sit in the steering committee in the council. The Bhutanese participated in a traditional procession with Indian community to a lake in Bundarra Park in Melbourne’s north for final laying of the statue after prayers. Mayor of Darebin, Councillor Diana Asmar attended the event and said that she has special place for this celebration of Ganesh Chauthi in the Council. She has assured her support to this event.
Senior Bhutanese Bal Bdr Budathoki said that it reminds him of being back home by taking part in the celebration during festive season. Yarra Trams, which also provided a free tram to carry Ganesh statue, supported the program, Special Emergency Services provided volunteers for safety and escort the procession, and Victoria Police offer traffic safety.
Earlier, the Bhutanese celebrated Krishna Janmasthami at the Banksia Community Garden Centre in Broadmeadows on August 21 where more than 150 Bhutanese participated coordinated by Meg Nath Thapa and Bhim Dangal.
