Religious Functions · Mata Ki Chowki
Arranging a Mata Ki Chowki at Home: The Darbar, the Jyot, the Bhajan Mandali and Prasad
A Mata ki chowki is a devotional gathering of a few hours at home: a bhajan mandali sings to the Mata, the sangat sings along, and it ends with aarti and prasad. It differs from a jagran: a jagran runs all night in a large pandal, while a chowki is usually two to four hours in the courtyard, the baithak or a small tent outside the house. So it needs less structure and more care with the darbar, the jyot and the seating. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra brings everything for a chowki to your home and sets it up.
Chowki or jagran? Decide first
| Mata ki chowki | Mata ka jagran | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Usually a few evening hours | All night |
| Place | Courtyard, baithak or outside the house | Large pandal, street or ground |
| Sangat | Family, neighbours and relatives | The whole village |
| Tent | Small shamiyana or just darbar decoration | Large pandal, high stage |
For an all-night programme, see our jagran guide; this page is for a chowki.
1. The darbar
The darbar is the heart of the chowki. We bring and decorate:
- A raised, sturdy place (a small stage or chowki) for the Mata's picture or murti, covered in red cloth
- A backdrop of red and yellow drapes behind the darbar, with a small canopy of drapes above
- Marigold garlands and flower decoration around the darbar
- A soft focus light on the darbar so the Mata's face is clearly visible
2. The jyot: safety first
A jyot burns at a chowki, with cloth drapes all around. So:
- Keep the jyot in front of the darbar, at least an arm's length from drapes and flowers
- Put a plate or brass parat under it so ghee doesn't drip
- Don't let the cloth roof hang low above the jyot; we keep the roof high over the darbar
- Keep children's walking path away from the jyot
3. The bhajan mandali
The mandali brings its own instruments (dholak, harmonium, chimta). For them we set up:
- Gadde and durries on the floor to one side of the darbar, so the mandali faces both the darbar and the sangat
- A mic for the singer and speakers so the sangat can hear (on demand)
- One power socket near the mandali, with other wires run under the durries so nobody trips
4. Seating for the sangat
At a chowki the sangat usually sits on the floor, singing and clapping along:
- Durries and carpets in front of the darbar, with a clear path to the darbar down the middle
- A few chairs at the back for elders
- If the courtyard is small, we add a small shamiyana outside to extend the seating, with coolers in hot weather
5. Aarti and prasad
It ends with aarti and prasad. For this:
- A covered table near the darbar for the aarti thali and prasad
- A separate counter on the way out for handing out prasad, so the crowd doesn't gather at the darbar
- If there's a meal with the prasad, our halwai cooks it at your home
6. Fix Navratri dates early
During Navratri and festivals many homes hold chowkis at the same time, so both darbar items and bhajan mandalis get booked quickly. Tell us your date on 99918 64283 as soon as it's fixed. We deliver and collect chowki items free within 25 km, and decorate the darbar and seating within whatever budget you keep. You can also visit Khorra first to see the darbar items.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Mata ki chowki and a jagran?
A chowki usually lasts a few evening hours, in the courtyard or baithak, with family and neighbours. A jagran runs all night with a large pandal and high stage for the whole village. So a chowki needs a smaller setup: the darbar platform, a backdrop, durries and a mic.
How is the darbar decorated for a Mata ki chowki?
A raised chowki or small stage covered in red cloth, a red and yellow drape backdrop with a small canopy above, marigold garlands and a soft focus light on the darbar. We come to your home and set up the whole darbar.
Where should the jyot go at a chowki?
Right in front of the darbar, in the middle, with open space on every side. Keep the backdrop and garlands far enough back that the flame can't reach them even in a breeze, and route people through the open path in front rather than past the side of the jyot. If it is to burn all night, make one person responsible for watching it.
Can a chowki be held in a small courtyard?
Yes. A chowki doesn't need a large pandal; the darbar and mandali fit in the courtyard, and if the sangat is large we add a small shamiyana outside. WhatsApp a photo of the space and we'll tell you what goes where.
Do you provide a mic and sound for the bhajan mandali?
Yes, on demand: a mic for the singer and speakers so the sangat can hear. The mandali brings its own instruments; we give them a power socket nearby and run the wires under the durries.