DharmaFest 2025, a vibrant youth-led celebration, was held at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Rotorua on Saturday, 22 November 2025. The festival serves as a unique platform for Dharmic communities to engage, collaborate, and showcase their cultural and spiritual heritage. This year’s event was organised in collaboration with the HOTA (Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations) Forum. Some of the audience had come from Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Tauranga and even Sydney (Australia).
DharmaFest is an inspiring initiative of Hindu Youth New Zealand, bringing together Dharma-based organisations, temples, and spiritual groups to celebrate the theme “Vibhinnatāyām Ekatvam” — Unity in Diversity. The 2025 festival highlighted the profound ways Dharmic values continue to enrich New Zealand’s multicultural society, particularly through art, food, clothing, crafts, wellness practices, and knowledge systems such as Yoga, Ayurveda, and Meditation.
The event commenced with a warm welcome to leaders representing Dharma traditions, meditation communities, and yoga groups. This year’s dignitaries included Radha Dasi, Chairperson of Meditation NZ; Gurinder Singh, priest of Rotorua Gurudwara representing Sikh Dharma; and Ma Kalaadevi, who led International Yoga Day in Rotorua in 2024. Together with festival coordinator Komal Sahani, they ceremonially lit the lamp to inaugurate the festival.
Radha Dasi and Ma Kalaadevi shared brief reflections on meditation and yoga, while Gurinder Singh spoke about Sikh Dharma. As 2025 marks the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, Gurinder Singh also spoke on the sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus. Many children participating in the fancy dress competition listened with great interest. This moment inspired Dr Guna Magesan to invite Gurinder Singh to visit Playtopia Educare—where nearly 80% of the children are from the Punjabi community—to share similar teachings so more children can benefit.
Following the opening ceremony, participants were guided through basic meditation techniques by Radha Dasi, followed by a yoga session led by Jennifer Carruthers. Both sessions were well received and greatly appreciated by attendees.
Throughout the day, guests explored a range of stalls featuring cultural displays, arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing, and other creative expressions. Visitors also enjoyed a delightful selection of authentic vegetarian dishes from two food stalls.
One of the major highlights of DharmaFest 2025 was the Mantra Band concert, held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm—their first-ever performance in Rotorua. Renowned for their uplifting and spiritually inspired music, the band captivated both locals and visitors. The concert was so well received that the Hindu Heritage Centre extended an open invitation for Mantra Band to return to Rotorua whenever they wishto perform.
(This Press Release has been published as received)
