INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2020 - Vol 1, Issue 10
DIWALI SPECIAL
Diwali celebrated at Guru Manyo Granth Gurdwara in Gold Coast Gold Coast, 16 November (India News Bureau): Multicultural Gold Coast celebrated Diwali in style on 14th November at the Guru Manyo Granth Gurudwara, Helensvale. Members of the wider Queensland communities joined the festivities for an unforgettable day filled with prayers, festivities, fun, food and fireworks! Founded in April of 2019, the Guru Maneyo Granth Gold Coast Gurdwara located at 9-11 Shepparton Road, Helensvale provides an inspirational model for everyone to follow. “Our objective is simple”, said Mr Surjit Singh, Founder and General Manager of the Gurdwara. He also emphasised, “Cater for the children,educate them culturally, and teach –them how to assimilate into the Australian lifestyle withoutlosing their heritage or identity. You then have a generation of proud Sikhs with values of respectand selfless service”. Mr Singh pointed out that “Assimilation doesn’t stop at ‘being Australian’. It also requires acceptance and understanding of other cultures and religions”.
the Gurudwara worked in concert to manage the event smoothly and seamlessly.
well as the vibrant multicultural communities of South East Queensland.
By the close of the event, the Gurdwara had recoded over 6,000 attendees coming from as far south as Coffs Harbour and Toowoomba in the north. Of course, one of the major attractions has been a sumptuous and mouth-watering vegetarian menu - freshly prepared onsite in the commercially equipped kitchen. Even though the Guru Maneyo Granth Gold Coast Gurdwara is only just over an year old, it is fast becoming a sought after centre of attraction and devotion for Sikh pilgrims as
Open seven days a week with a langar (community kitchen) providing free vegetarian meals remains a major attraction laced with love and warmth, located conveniently just off the Pacific Motorway (opposite Movie World). This Gurdwara is a must visit destination to satiate your spiritual yearnings and a complete experience for a quick get-away itinerary offering— spirituality, sporting activity and mouth-watering vegetarian cuisine.
This message resonated amongst the community members on Saturday with children having fun with a professional balloon artist, an inflatable obstacle jumping course and two mesmerising fireworks. Besides, children and youth thronged the adjacent playground and basketball court in the Gurdwara precinct melding sports with festivities. The Gurdwara celebrated Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali together, both being festivals of light celebrating good conquering evil, hope overcoming despair, knowledge dispelling ignorance, and love triumphing over hate.With Diwali also being a significant festival in the Hindu calendar, the Hindu community in large numbers warmly embraced the program. The Gurdwara festivities started on 12thNovember with an Akhand Paath (non-stop reading of the complete Guru Granth Sahib (holy Sikh scriptures) within 48 hours, followed a day-long kirtanand celebrations on 14th, enabling a wide and flexible timing for the community to join the celebrations as per their convenience. The celebrations were held under the strict Covid-19 and social distancing protocols and the Gurdwara operated under a Covid-Safe Event plan, allowing both government officials and attendees to feel safe and comfortable. Local State MP Mark Boothman and Councillor William Owen-Jones both complimented the Covid-19 plan and larger arrangements put in place on the occasion. Furthermore, they were deeply impressed with the large turnout on the occasion and how a committed team of volunteers at
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