Chhatarpur/New Zealand: Renowned spiritual leader and storyteller Dhirendra Shastri, the head of Bageshwar Dham, is currently on an international tour, delivering religious discourses to Indian and Sanatani communities residing abroad.
After concluding a three-day Hanumant Katha in Fiji, he went to New Zealand, where he received a grandly traditional welcome.
As soon as he landed at the airport, hundreds of devotees gathered to greet him, where women blew conch shells. They sang traditional devotional songs, performed Tilak rituals, and greeted him in their native attire. Youths also took selfies with the Shastri, creating a festive and devotional atmosphere.
One of the devotees also sketched a portrait of Shastri to give it to him.
The warm and grand welcome left Shastri visibly surprised and moved by the overwhelming devotion.
Shastri visited Naag Temple from Mahabharata era
Before New Zealand, Shastri conducted a grand three-day Hanumant Katha in Fiji. The event attracted thousands of Fiji-Indians and Sanatan Dharma followers residing across the country.
One of the spiritual highlights of his Fiji tour was the Naag Temple visit in Lambasa, which is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era.
According to local legends, the temple is connected to the story of Kaliya Mardan, where Lord Krishna subdued the venomous serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River.
It is believed that after Kaliya’s wives pleaded for mercy, Krishna spared the serpent and exiled him to a serene island - now identified with Lambasa. In his remembrance, this ancient Naag temple was built, and it remains a significant spiritual site for devotees.
Speaking during his visit, Baba Bageshwar highlighted the deep spiritual and cultural bond between Fiji and India. He stated, “If Fiji wishes, it can play a vital role in its development through the culture and values brought by Indian communities. The spiritual connection between our countries is eternal.”
