#Shivaratri 2020 was at GWU, leading pooja for the Hindu Students Association. This year they got permission to have 'one candle' hence agreed to lead; there can be no pooja without agnidevata. 
logistics had to be looked into days before - as the crowd was mixed - partly sponsored by Sikh Association, Pakistani students association etc but kudos to HSA they let me decide, so 108 names with meanings - shiva ashTottaram was done, print outs given to all
lugged my display collection in the Metro in this dreary weather and reached destination an hour away...
despite looking like a 'bag lady' am glad I took these along....kids were maha thrilled!
the fact that they have an event for Shivaratri and soon Holi (not calling it Festival of Colors) is a good sign...of course meet/greet and food is the biggest driving force for Undergrads, but still...
had them play rudram-chamakam by Challekere Bros. while the youngsters lined up to do aarati and to offer flowers/ pay their respects
Himaja is from Singapore all the way in DC to do International Affairs at Elliot-GWU, only child...spoke Telugu, loves Dookudu and spicy food, so we hit it off :)
didn't take audience pic/ food pic...but there were about 50-60 undergrads, a few non-Hindus. some kids were doing aarati ulTa - anti-clockwise...some came in shoes the table but were earnest in their namaste...so ...all in good time...
...as teaching anything needs patience....you give a little, and wait for the rest, best, Om namah shivaaya
@threadreaderapp unroll
