The N Block Ladies Kirtan group, popularly known as the JAI MATA DI group, organised a week-long Bhagwat Katha in collaboration with the N Block Welfare Association. The spiritual event was organised in Central Park, which is maintained by the NBWA, from Feb 24 to March 2, 2025. Three senior ladies, namely Shashi Bhandari, Pawan Mahajan, and Madhu Dogra, took the lead in organising the katha. Generous contributions towards the katha were poured in from far and wide. Acharya Sanjeev Dikshit Maharaj, from Chitrakoot, was invited to recite the katha.
The enclosure erected in Central Park was beautifully decorated with flowers and balloons. The event was streamed live on Facebook. The katha was attended by more than a hundred and fifty people every day.
On day one, fifty-one ladies did a kalash yatra, i.e., carried the kalash on their heads and walked around the park with one person leading with the Bhagwat Granth on his head. This was accompanied by singing and dancing to dhol. The ladies were dressed in bright pinks and reds. Snacks and cold drinks were served, and the katha began at 2 pm. From then on, Acharya ji recited the katha for the next five days from 2.30 to 5.30 pm, followed by dancing and singing by the devotees, ending with aarti and prasad distribution. High tea was served to all after the katha every evening. On the final day, the time was 10 am to 1.30 pm. Katha was followed by Havan and Aarti and finally a sumptuous lunch.
Our newly elected MLA, Shikha Rai, attended the katha for some time on the third day. The katha was attended by devotees from G.K., East of Kailash, South Extension, Safdarjung Enclave, Patparganj, Satbari, and Gurugram.
Devotees brought offerings of fruits, cakes, pudding jars, dry fruits, chocolates, flavoured milk, kulfi, fruit cream, pedas, and bags filled with gifts, which were then distributed as prasad. Some of the little boys of the block were made to dress as Lord Krishna on day 4. A Chappan bhog thali was organised on day 5, which was distributed as prasad after the aarti.
The entire organising team, headed by the three ladies mentioned above and backed by the N Block Welfare Association, worked relentlessly to make the katha memorable.
