Senior Citizens Program’s ‘Mata Ki Chowki’ a hit

ATLANTA, GA — The Mata ki Chowki, hosted by Senior Citizens Program (SCP) Inc. was performed by Atlanta Chowki Group headed by Inder Beri and Group.

The event was sponsored by SCP’s long-time and dedicated volunteer Chinti Bali in the lead and by Sunanda & Varjinder Sharma; Ashok and Poonam Datta; Jagdish and Santosh Shailly.

This year, Mata ki Chowki had added significance in that five recent medical school graduates–Bhavna Bali, Sofina Bali, Prateek Bali, Rajat Shailly, and Shikha Shailly–Dental School graduate Kuldeep Sharma, English and Japanese Language Honors Graduate Himani Bali and IT Graduate Shivani Sharma performed the Pooja and also received the blessings of Mataji, the Atlanta Chowki Group and all the seniors present at the Chowki.

The seniors were represented in the Pooja ceremony by Bachubhai and his wife Laxmiben Patel.

The elegantly decorated stage with diyas (lamps), stringed lights, fresh fruits and prasad (offerings) wore a festive look in its ornate finery with Mataji’s dazzling framed picture in the center of the Puja platform, adorned with a gorgeous chunni with colorful fresh flower garlands. Ganeshji’s idol aslo sat on the platform in full splendor , garlanded and draped with a red chunni.

Vinod Grover and Kalpana Bery from the Atlanta chowki group warmly welcomed all the congregation. The president of the Atlanta Chowki Group Inder Bery’s prowess on Dholak player was hypnotic.

The congregation sat in rapt attention listening to melodious and spiritually elevating bhajans (divine songs) and praises of Mataji Vaishno Devi, in mellifluous voices by Kalpana Bery, Kshama Kakade, Rajesh Sharma, Smriti Sharma; Santosh Grover, Suresh Mohan,and Kusum Mohan.

As the fervor picked up with clapping and singing, congregation joined in the rousing chanting.

Chinti Bali thanked all for attending Mata ki Chowki. She further thanked the graduates for taking part in the Chowki and seeking blessings of Mata ji and also all the seniors present.

The grand finale for this spiritual high was the “aarti”, followed by prasadam (offerings) of halwa (sweets), Chhole (chick peas), fruits and dry fruits et al followed by a sumptuous luncheon.