TE ROPU INIA O TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA
UNITE SERVE CELEBRATE
Welcome to Bharat Bhavan, the home of Wellington Indian Association and Gita Mandir.
Bharat Bhavan is open daily.
Established in 1925
Indian culture for Indians in Wellington.
You can help make a difference by making a donation. There are many ways you can contribute.
Tracing our ancestry project
We’re working with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa to identify the portraits of our forefathers and foremothers who had their portraits taken in the 1930s.
Navratri - DHOLIDA 2025
STARTS
🎉 WELLINGTON... ARE YOU READY?! 🎉
Two thrilling weekends. Ten unforgettable nights. One epic celebration.
💃🕺 NAVRATRI MAHOTSAV 2025 is coming to your backyard with the longest Garba festival in town—powered by the electrifying beats of Ridhan Music! Get ready for floor-shaking rhythms, dazzling moves, and a dance festival like no other.
📍 Where: Bharat Bhavan, Wgtn Indian Cultural Centre, Kemp St
📅 When:
Pre-Navratri: Sept 19 & 20 (Special 2 day Pass)
Main Festival: Sept 22 – Oct 2
🕗 Time: 8PM–Midnight (Paid nights only)
🎟️ Entry Details:
$10 Special 2 day pass for 19th and 20th
$15 via Eventbrite | $20 at the door
Students (13–17 with ID): $5
Kids under 12: FREE
🚗 Free parking available!
🌟 Special Highlight:
🪔 Aarti Thali Competition – Friday, Sept 26
Bring your creativity and festive spirit!
📣 Tag your Garba gang, grab your tickets, and let’s make this Navratri unforgettable.
For sponsorships, vendor stalls, or more info—reach out today!
#NavratriWellington #Garba2025 #Dholida #WIA #WellingtonIndianCommunity
What’s On
Available to purchase
Wellington’s Indian Story - Beyond a Century
Jacqueline Leckie
This year marks the centennial celebration of the Wellington Indian Association, and halfway through this year, a new book will unveil the community's rich history with the city.
That history goes back much further than 100 years, with the first Indian migrants jumping ship in the late 1700s.
Jaqueline Leckie said that was something that was still little-known to most Kiwis, but she had spent most of her career researching the Indian diaspora, and how they landed in white settler colonies like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
"I think it was about 1769, [where] there's records of some Indian sailors on ships, one was with the French East India company. And then later, Indian men were working on ships that were run by the British East India companies," Leckie explained.
Leckie had written multiple books about the history of Indian migration, and her latest focused on the Wellington region. It detailed how Indians settled and developed into the community that existed there today.
"So looking more at the importance of place, and connection which you would find in other parts of Aotearoa," she said.
Wellington's Indian story: beyond a century will be released in the middle of this year.
New health and fitness classes now on. Keep active, fit, and healthy this winter. Try one of our classes
