Nearly 600 devotees gathered at Virginia State School in Queensland on 30 August to mark the Vinayaka Chavithi Pooja, a celebration of Lord Ganesha organised by the Telangana Association of Queensland (TAQ).
The event, held from 2:30pm to 8:00pm, was steeped in tradition and devotion. Leading the pooja were Sri Naga Venkata Adiraju Garu and Sri Durga Karra Garu, who guided the crowd through the rituals with precision and reverence.
A key moment of the day involved the younger members of the community. With the support of BSK Queensland, over 110 children were shown how to create their own clay Vinayaka Vigrahams and performed the pooja alongside adults. “The focus and devotion shown by the children was inspiring,” said one of the organisers.
Adding to the cultural atmosphere were classical dance and devotional song performances, providing moments of reflection and celebration throughout the evening.
One of the most talked-about events was the auction of a 10kg laddu, a traditional sweet offered to Lord Ganesha. The laddu was jointly won by Shiva Kumar Garu, Chandana Garu, Rahul Reddy Garu, and Manvitha Garu for $2,751, a gesture that drew applause from the crowd and contributed to the festive energy.
The venue was decorated by the Kumar Brothers, whose efforts were widely appreciated for enhancing the visual and devotional ambience of the gathering.
The event was made possible through the work of many volunteers, including former committee members, who helped with logistics and ensured that every part of the evening ran smoothly. Financial support and food sponsorship came from several community members and organisations, with many contributing to the Mahaprasadam—a traditional community meal—served to attendees.
The TAQ Executive Committee was formally acknowledged for its coordination and planning efforts. The team includes President Ch. Narender, Secretary Dayakar Bachu, Vice-President Madhav Gurram, Joint Secretary Umesh Vangapally, Treasurer Santhosh AK, and Joint Treasurer Vijay Nalla. Cultural and event responsibilities were handled by Vijay Koraboina, Haritha Thaneeru, Srikala Reupireddy, Priyanka Karaka, Prema Katta, and Virinchi Yakkanti.
Vinayaka Chavithi draws 600 devotees in Queensland
Organisers said the pooja was not only a spiritual observance, but a reaffirmation of shared values and connections within the Queensland Indian community. With children leading rituals and communities coming forward to support, the celebration offered a quiet but clear reminder of the strength that comes from collective participation.
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