A Guest Post by Gayatri Sankar
How many people today celebrate festivals, keeping in mind the religious/ spiritual connection? Is Diwali celebrated to rejoice Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile? Or is it a celebration for the victory of the 'good over the evil'?
Commercialization and consumerism have far reaching effects on festivals across the globe. The impacts of commercialization and consumerism have polluted the true religious meanings and traditional customs. The growing trend of globalization has cast negative impression on age old beliefs. People tend to celebrate festivals not only as a customary practice but also as a means to exercise their spending power. They succumb to the ever growing popularity of globalization. In other words, festivals are no longer simple religious practices but are ways when producers make their fortunes. In course of time, the true meaning of festivals will remain confined to the history books.
(This article has been written by Gayatri Sankar, an avid read of our blog. It has not been edited and the views expressed are of Gayatri. )
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12 comments:
The concept of festivals came into existence in ancient ages in order to raise the happiness index amongst the people. There's also economics involved in it. Circulation of money will happen during festivals by means of buying and selling.
Instead of giving religious importance to it, we must try to enjoy and be happy as much as we can.
What do u say of Holi?? Do any of us know the religious importance? Even after reading your article i dont really bother to know the religious importance of holi. Coz what really reminds me of Holi is the re-union of my old friends on this day every year.
"Religion can never reform mankind because religion is slavery." Robert G. Ingersoll
Dear Mr. Shivanand,
I would like to tell you that Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life...you are one of those ignorant people who thinks Hinduism is a religion. The hindu way of life is b y far the simplest way to lead life and it bounds nobody...it is ofetn misinterpreted...
as far as the significance of holui is concerned, I know it very well...and there is no point in even uttering it to you...if you do not wish to understand its significance then why play Holi? only to have fun with old freinds? then why play Holi only once a year...when the entire world plays Holi...why don't you create your own day to play Holi and make it a national cum private day for yourself and your dear friends???
The same can be said for Judaism,Christianity and Islam. They all are a way of life.
In fact all religions which were formed by we Humans, were formed with the same notion.So that people have a way of life.
No religion is superior or inferior. They all spread peace and teach you to be practical and be good to others. It depends on how you take it and how you understand it.
Thanks Mr. Abhilash Rajendran for creating Hindu blog. It is high time we need such things. I happen to go thru Gayantri Sankar’s pieces. We require more such people caring for Hinduism and clarify various myths prevailing about Hinduism.
Religion comes from Latin word ‘religio’- combination of two words- ‘re’(back) and ligare (to bring or bind). That which binds the soul back to God is religion. Religion shows the way to realization of God. Hinduism is the oldest of all living religions and is not founded by any prophet. It is eternal. Hinduism is a revealed religion. As Gayatri Sankar puts it, Hinduism is the way of life.
In fact, Hinduism is a religion of freedom. It does not condemn those who deny God. It does not impose its ways on anyone. That is the reason why Hinduism is misused, misinterpretated and taken advantage of and ridiculed.
Unfortunately today Hindus (almost in totality) do not know the significance or importance of any religious festivals but are celebrated as per whims and fancies of their likings and thoughts.
Hinduism is a very vast , it is a religion which has no beginning and no end. It is quite sad that we have very vast majority of people like Shivanand Iyer who wants to enjoy on materialistic aspect of things and feel that happiness lies in such worldly enjoyment and look forward to the festivals not knowing what is all about.
I look forward to more articles highlighting the richness of Hinduism and giving indepth knowledge on this subject.
Wish Hindu Blog a great success.
I
Dear Mr.Shivanad,
Here I am not ranking any religion superior or inferior...I am only trying to put across a very simple message...the way Christians make it a point to visit a Church atleast on Sundays, the Muslims make it a point to read Namaz on Fridays...similarly we Hindus or rather so called Hindus should be upholding the flag of our faith with respect. You are trying to demean our way of life by showing absolute lack of interest in it...its totally upto you...but remember the hindu way of life if the oldest way of life and foreigners have always been attracted towards it and have been getting inspired.
This land-Bharat or India whatever we call it is truely the most blessed and the most beautiful land on earth. Its the richest and the nicest land and shall remain so for ever...you will realise this in times to come...
Dear Gayatri,
You seem to be confusing yourself between religion and faith. For me they are 2 different things. Believing in God is faith and abiding to the rules and principles of a community is religion. Even atheism is a religion followed by so many people across the world.
If you want Hinduism can be revived, one needs to do the following according to me:
1) Our temples are scattered. Build a hierarchy like the catholic church and and make them answerable to a common regulatory body similar to Vatican.
2) Get people together. Hold regular prayer meets.
3) The temples should teach the principles of hinduism as part of the prayer meet. A lay man doesnt understand Vedas and Puranas. Teach them practical hinduism.
4) Whatever donations you get in temples, use it for the development of the community. Build schools, hospitals like the Christian missionary does across the world.
Simply by upholding the flag of faith, you cant revive any religion.
Dear Preeti,
I feel very sorry to say that you haven't understood my point even a bit...I really do not think Hindusim needs to ape any other religion or even follow activities that other communities do. The Hindu way of life is eternal and can never deteriorate at any cost. Even Millions of Shivanads cannot let this faith down. It would not make sense to keep explaining things to people who don't want to understand. It is people like Shivanand who demean this faith because this faith is far to serene and piuos to be understood my a commoner. Even I am a commoner but yet I do respect this faith and shall do all possible things on my part to follow what Hindusim teaches. I don't care what all the Non-followers of Hindusim feel and think. But yes, would request you not to confuse yourself- never did I mention anywhere that Hinduism is superior and other religions are inferior. I am only saying its the oldest and one of the simplest way of life. Hinduism is self-existant and its does not need to follow any other faith.
Thanks for your piece of advice...but Hindusim does not need it...it is far to vast..it has abundance of wisdom, knowledge and strength to sustain...
One more thing...I am writing on this blog to only spread the goodness of my Faith or religion what ever you call it. for me my faith is my religion...by citing various activities that Catholic Institutions perform, you have tried to compare your religion with that of mine...If you thoroughly read the articles on this blog- nowhere will you find an article which would ridicule any other faith/religion. This blog only talk about Hinduism.
All are welcome in India (where people of various faith get freedom to follow their faith). Christmas would not have been a National Holiday otherwise. No where in the world would you find a GREAT COUNTRY LIKE INDIA. INDIA is GREAT BECAUSE it is the land where hindusim evolved, is evolving and will continue to evolve. As far as my knowledge goes no other nation in the world is as tolerant as India. Please appreciate the greatness of this country, the faith that it follows and please do not comment if you don't understand what the principles of this faith are. If you don't WANT to undertand then its your choice. It would be better to stop campaigning negatively as it might hurt the sentiments of many hindus.
Also Many temples donate food to the poor- which is called "ANNADAAN". There are many Hindu charitable institutions which provide education to the needy...its just that there are many corrupt people which is not letting the dust settle...A day shall come when the dust settles and the picture would look clear...
dear preeti
i was just going through your vews and comments and u have mentioned thata hiearchy temple should be built and vedas and puranas should be preached to a common man and charity should be done as it is done by christians. to this i would like to give u just one example that is of puttapurathi saibaba who has opened innumerable institutions in puttapurathi where lots of foreigners also come to study. and chairty is done to those who are in need. in guruvayar every day you will see that food is served at night for all the poor people because we believe "there is no daan which is above annadaan". here i would also like to mention that no other religion are as tolerant as hindus and as far as i know and think, it is very visible in india.
jaya
To Each His Own :)
Dear Gayatri,
Today I happened to stumble across this wonderful blog while searching some material on "commercialization of festivals". Your contributions indeed proved helpful. But the reason I am writing is to say Thank you. Before reading your views I had never thought seriously about Hinduism but now I feel that Yes, I should be proud to be a Hindu and to be born in this truly great country called Bharat!
It is like enlightenment or I can describe it as wonder one feels when he realises that the stone he was carrying for years is identified as a diamond by a jeweller...
Thanks Gayatri and I extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Abhilash Rajendran for creating this blog. Thank you sir.. thanks a lot.
This is an information rich site about hindu culture and other nice stuff.
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