Inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Rath Yatra (Festival of Chariots) was celebrated on Sunday 10 July 2005 at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Auckland.
The Rath Yatra procession began from the mandir at 3.00 pm with devotees, young and old, pulling the spectacular chariot in which the murti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj was seated.
The procession in which over 500 devotees participated, also featured young children in colorful traditional costumes performing traditional dance and singing bhajans.
During the course of the procession five artis were performed.Many onlookers also enjoyed the colorful and festive atmosphere of the procession.
At 5.30 pm the procession concluded at the mandir, after which the festival assembly was held. Over 700 devotees gathered to listen to bhajans and speeches by youths and elder devotees describing the significance of the Rath Yatra festival. A video blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was also shown in which Swamishri stressed the need for keeping God and guru foremost in one's life.
The assembly concluded with arti.