April 16 2016, 11.14 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
Noida: In India, Goddess Durga is treated as the mother God and everyone celebrates the Navratris with much zeal and enthusiasm. On the occasion of this great day, residents of RG Residency, Sector-120 also celebrated the eve by organizing ‘Mata Ki chowki’. The event was attended by over 800 residents of RG Residency and nearby projects as well. The residents thoroughly enjoyed the event and it was exciting to see the children enjoy as well because these are the pillars which help build a proper foundation for their growth.
Maa Durga is the embodiment of the divine energy and the creative power. Maa Durga reigns as the Mother Goddess, amongst the Goddesses worshiped by Hindus. Although there are innumerable forms of Goddesses and ultimately all are one, yet Durga-form is the most popular one. In Vedic Mantras, the Mother is the Prime God. Mother not only creates a child from her body and energizes but becomes the biggest and the most effective teacher of her child to mould his future. It is revealed that without her even lord Shiva is a lifeless Body
The idol of Goddess Durga is placed in the campus premises which we call as ‘Mata ki Chowki’ and every resident offer prayer and pay tribute to the Goddess for keeping them well.
Mata ki Chowki is a religious get together, through Chowkis. It is a short time kirtan which can be performed at any time throughout the day, anytime of the year. In Mata Ki Chowki, the group preaches about Mata, sings “Jagrata” and motivates devotees all over the world to pay their respects through their prayers. This program can be organized on the happy occasions such as Weddings, Engagements, Birthdays, and Anniversaries or during Ganpati and Navratri festivals. It is a devotional program done during the evening time, for 3 hours on any day between 7:00 p.m and 10:00 p.m.
Regular prayers and activities are performed on each day of Navratri, on the 9th Day everyone gathers together for a group prayer offering to Goddess Durga and celebrate the end of festival with colors, sweets, fruits and other edibles.
Many residents remain on fast for all 9 days and for those special fast meals are also organized in the pantry to keep themselves energized for the work and save them from energy burn-out. A resident said, organizing such event in our society is a great pleasure and we not only offer prayers but also preaches our young generation about the culture. We are also thankful to all the society members for organizing this event.