My parents have recently moved to Deerwood Chase so I get invited to some of the special events that are held there for the senior community that gathers there every morning. They were excited as on Shivratri there was going to be a special Puja being organised at the park at 7 am sharp. Two Shivlings had been set up and all the puja items lay organised on a copper plate.
It started with the chanting of shlokas by Mr Prem Garg, one of the Nirvana residents who was conducting the puja. Next was the arti, along with the ringing of the bell and mantra chanting from Shiv strotas by all those who had gathered there. They all clapped their hands and sang songs in praise of Lord Shiv. Everyone came forward and bathed the Shivlings with a special mixture of milk, curd, honey and offered bel patra and paid obeisance while praying for family and friends. Prakash Gurbuxani who was one of the organisers shared that Col. Khurana, Naresh Ummat, Vijay Kumar, R.K. Agrawal, Ashok Agarwal, Mr O.P. Khanna, Mr Sarpanch, Anil Dixit, Ajay Chopra, and Chander Kumar were some of the gents present there and they are Nirvana residents from Deerwood and Espace. Some of the ladies present were Kusum, Sneha Sood, Divya, Mrs Agarwal, said my mother, Dr Mira Mukerji.
After receiving charanamrit everyone was given fruits and sweets as prasad. Hot tea was also served to all the morning worshippers. Everyone stayed to mingle and chat. They all shared how much they all enjoyed these little events in their park which infused their lives with so much joy. I am so glad my parents are part of this beautiful community of ours in Nirvana.
