Ganeshotsav- As it should be and As it is

1. Evils in the festival (Ganesh Chaturthi-5th September 2016 to 14th September 2016)

Present day Ganesh festival celebrations are devoid of devotion. In a survey conducted in 1999, it was found that there were more than 3500 Ganesh festival committees registered in Mumbai alone! What would be their number all over Maharashtra?
The festival committees spend huge sums for erecting the pandal, the Idol, lighting, decoration, scenery, entertainment programs and processions. Right from a volunteer of the festival committee to the police of the entire state and even coast guards along the seashore are on their toes during these celebrations. Unfortunately, the spiritual benefit derived by the society from this festival is comparatively negligible. Following are the commonly found evils during the festival celebrations :
A. Malpractices related to pandal
Extravagant decoration, use of inflammable substances while preparing a pandal.
Electrical lighting is not restricted merely to the Idol and pandal, but covers long distances. Nowadays musical lighting, which has become popular, causes noise pollution too. Lighting done on such a large scale is a great loss of national wealth.
Gambling and drinking liquor within the pandal
B. Idols in an unscientific form
Idol made from Plaster of Paris, which causes water pollution.
Idol in weird form
Idol huge in size
C. Denigration through advertisements
For example, showing Shri Ganesh as ‘one who applies a balm’ or one ‘who rides a scooter’ etc. Advertisements of addictive substances.
D. Organizing programs that have adverse effect on the mind of the people
Loudspeakers with film songs blaring from them, Aratis of Deities on the tune of film music etc.
Arranging programs like orchestra, record dance etc. that are devoid of our cultural heritage.
E. Noise pollution caused due to film songs, illumination linked to music
Lack of programs on Righteousness or Nation building.
F. Malpractices in processions
Slow movement of processions, causing inconvenience to the transport system
Consumption of alcohol
Applying coloured powder called gulal to passers-by forcibly
Obscene dances
Loud firecrackers
Eve-teasing
Procession after 10 p.m.
G. Extortion of funds
Demanding and pressurizing donors to donate is tantamount to organized extortion. People with illegal money, manufacturers of liquor or tobacco try to earn punya (Merits) and reputation by offering huge donations. Cigarette and tobacco manufacturers advertise their products during the festival. A festival celebrated with such ill-earned wealth will never appease Shri Ganesh.
H. Domination by politicians
2. How to celebrate festival in an ideal manner?
Ganesh_festival_celebration
NO DO’S DON’TS
1 House and decoration
A. Importance to Shree Ganesh first, then secondary importance to decoration A. Expensive lighting and decoration and a gaily decorated frame of thermocol
B. Cleanliness, saatvic decoration, so also everybody should collectively prepare for pooja with devotion B. While watching entertainment programmes on the television
C. Listening to desireless songs during preparation
2 Idol
A. Made of clay and painted with natural colours A. Plaster of Paris and huge size
B. Seated on a platform B. Of strange attire (e.g soldier,saint etc)
C. Made according to the science of idols C. Made out of items like coconut, bananas, utensils
3 Religious rituals
A. Preparation of puja after purification to maintain the sanctity A. Children’s noise and chatting during rituals
B. Everyone should remain present and experience the divine consciousness B. Not remaining present at the time of ritual
4 Aarti
A. Selective and with devotionful aarti A. Long aartis and in loud tone
B. Prayer and chanting after Arati B. Laughing and making fun during Arati
5 Prasad (offering)
A. Chanting while preparing Prasad A. Chatting while preparing Prasad
B. Taking Prasad in a queue peacefully B. Crowding during taking of Prasad and teasing
6 Procession
A. Disciplined,with chanting and concluding on time A. Slow paced procession, alcohol, forcible application of gulal
7 Immersion
A. According to the science immersion in flowing water A. Donation of idol and throwing from a height
One should ensure discipline and sanctity at the venue of worship and the pandal. Workers should be dedicated, service-oriented who understand the spiritual meaning of religious rituals as well as the Deities and who assist in the celebrations with an attitude of service unto the Absolute Truth.
Programs on social upliftment, rekindling Dharma (Righteousness) and national awakening should be arranged for the benefit of attendees. For e.g.
Discourses on spiritual topics like Dharma, sadhana (Spiritual practice), Guru, disciple etc.
Discourses which create awareness amongst the masses about corruption, castes, terrorism, regionalism etc.
Lectures which create awakening amongst the masses about tobacco, alcohol, AIDS etc.
Music and devotional songs : Programs of folk ballads, classical music and devotional songs of Saints.
Plays and street plays : Based on patriotism or social problems.
Quiz programs on topics related to protection of the Nation and awakening of Dharma.

(Excerpts from Hindu Janjagruti)

Rituals in Religion

Yesterday,  Dahi-Handi, was celebrated predominantly in Mumbai, India. Dahi-handi is replica of Lord Krishna's childhood prank. According to the legend, Lord Krishna with his friends would form a human pyramid to break n share the contents of the handi(earthern pot) containing freshly churned butter. These days, political parties and business houses stuff the handies with wads of notes, tie the handis at unattainable heights(40 ft and above). Greed for the prize money and adventure drives many gullible youth and make them invalid for life. As for those who sponsor free publicity and an opening for ridding undisclosable income. What about those who die or become motionless for life? Are they to be ignored for life? This is only a ritualistic exercise not a religious affair. How many religious aspects do we follow during any festival? It is for us to introspect and decide, whether we are following ritual or religion?

The next forthcoming Ganpati festival. Environmental hazards of using plaster of paris, toxic paints and the effect it has on marine life. Besides, noise pollution, thefts in crowds, wrongs habits of drinking and misbehaving, whiling away productive time can also be seen

 Govt needs to bring in restrictions on size, as in the case of Dahi Handi. Also donations need to be channelised from the offerings of devotees.

 I am a great friend of Lord Ganesh, but I fully endorse your views, sadly each Mandals are vying for bigger publicity, .....there must be a SC ruling to curb the height and make them more Eco friendly....will we ever change with time, jai hind

.

Slaughter of animals is going against Mother Earth

Lets' take any Hindu deity. They are always escorted by animal,bird or reptile. Why, even Jesus Christ, The Good Shepherd is shown, comforting a lamb!

1) Sanaatan Dharma respects Nature in Totality --despite what we may 

see in Metros . Hindus traditionally worship nature not out of fear or 

superstition -- but by realizing each living being (Jeeva Jantu) represents some 

Manifestation. (Man or other form-- name / form rebirth by own Karmas to be 

noted. ). The whole of Creation is a manifestation of the Divine principle -Chp 15

 Gita and so feed cows, ants, rats, bull, snakes' monkeys --all . The great lesson of 
Srimad Bhagabatam is Gajendra Moksha --ina Elephant & Crocodile-and the 

meaning behind it is most wonderful -I have never stopped studying and revising

 this-- as it deals with the Samsar and Vairagya , 2) The practical aspect lies in 

Bhootha Yajna in Pancha Maha Yajna 1.e. on feeding all forms - ( Ghoshala or a 

Crow or any creature pashu pakshi ( what we call Dumb animals). 3) Sanaatan 

Dharma find divinity in rivers, mountains, trees-----'Each and every aspect of 

Nature is Holy.

In the tenth chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna's Upadesh:

Now I will declare to you My Divine glories, immanent, in their prominence;

O best of the Kurus, there is no end to the details of My extent.

I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings; I am the 

Beginning, the Middle and also the End of all beings.

Among the trees, I am the holy banyan tree (the Ashwattha tree '" Pipal ),

Among the cows, I am the wish giving Kama Dhenu

And among the water bodies, I am the sea

And among the immovable, I am the Himalayas

Among the peaks, I am the divine Meru

Among the shining objects, I am the Sun God

And among the stars, I am the moon

Among those who move fast, I am the wind

And among the rivers, I am the Ganga

And among the seasons, I am the flowering spring

Among the animals, I am the lion,

And among the birds, I am the eagle
.
Among the fishes I am the Shark.

Among the great elephants, I am Airavatha,

Among the cows, I am the wish giving Kama Dhenu,

And I am Vasuki among serpents,

Concludes with :

whatsoever is the seed of all beings, that also am I, O Arjuna; there

is no being, whether moving, or unmoving, that can exist without Me. The 

Vishnu Sahasranama --text also to be referred pl 


Here the "I" refers to the Supreme Soul. We are but sparks of the 

Supreme Soul, who is not an individual.



Now let's ask ourselves whether we see food or live animals:

 Sympathy at Slaughter's video

What happens before a corrida?
The bull has wet newspapers stuffed into his ears; vaseline is rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision; cotton is stuffed up his nostrils to cut off his respiration and a needle is stuck into his genitals. Also, a strong caustic solution is rubbed onto his legs which throws him off balance. This also keeps him from lying down on the ground. He is kept in a dark box for a couple of days, before he faces the ring: the purpose of this is to disorientate him. When he is let out of the box, he runs desperately towards the light at the end of the tunnel. He thinks that at last his suffering is over and he is being set free — instead, he runs into the bullring to face his killers and a jeering mob.

 Best Video You Will Ever See's video.

 PETA UK's video

‪#‎sacredcow‬ ‪#‎gaumata‬ ‪#‎gomata‬ ‪#‎holycow‬ ‪#‎cow‬ ‪#‎gopashtami‬ ‪#‎Gosala‬ ‪#‎gopuja‬


Sad how humans torture animals for food, fashion, fun, entertainment, Lust, Status symbol.. 
God will never forgive us...💒
Because to him we all are EQUALS Wether a animal or human
Live a Cruelty Free and Proud life..😢
Go Vegan.. 🌴🌳🌲
Save the planet..🌎
Say no to any kind of animal cruelty.. 

Some thoughts on slaughter, our lives and Mother Earth.

 https://youtu.be/sSMbfWY1ASE

https://youtu.be/ANCjbAfTgXE

https://youtu.be/Ee25u3YccHk

Why should we be kind to animals?

आ प ण  इतर  जीवित प्राण्यां बद्द्ल दया का करावी ?
      माणुस म्हणून आपण जन्माला आलो तर आपल्याला हक्क नाही की आपण कोणत्याही प्रान्याला मारावे। आपण  आपल सौभाग्य मानल पाहिजे की आप्ल्याला मनुष्य जन्म  भागलय आणि आपण आपले विचार  व्यक्त व संवरक्षण करण्यास सशक्त आहोत। ह्याचा अर्थ असे मुळीच न्हवे की आपल्यापेक्षा कमी योनिच्या जीवाला आपण एक्सप्लोइट करायचे का?  का म्हणून आपण आपल्या खुशीसाठी त्याचा जिव घ्यावा? जेव्हा आपण इवोलूशनरी हायरार्की ची पायरी चढतो, आपल्यानी जितका जनावर व दानव बुद्धी चा त्याग गरजेच असून पुढची पायरी चडताच येईना(अशक्यच आहे)
    आपण प्राण्याना आपल्या खाण्यासाठी आपल्या कामासाठी त्यांना मारतो वा कैद करुण ठेवतो। त्यांनाही हक्क आहे स्वतंत्रपणे जगण्याचा। आज जस आपल्या घरी कोणी वाट पाहत असत ,तसा प्राण्यांचा सुद्धा कोणीतरी वाट पाहत असत। मानव जात हे देवाने बनवलेल सर्वात सुंदर कृति आहे। तर ही कृति चांगल्या विचार व चांगल्या सवयिंसाठी वापरावे। कधी कधी तर खुप अवघड वाटत बघायला कोणी प्राण्याला मारत तर आणि आपल्या मानवजातीला हे सगळ चांगला नहीं कारण इतका सुंदर देवाची कृति आपल्याला ह्याचा चांगला केला उपयोग  पाहिजे आणि प्राण्याचा जिव वाचवला पाहिजे।
           आता आपण आपल्या मजेसाठी च्युइंग गम खातो ,मग ते रस्त्यावर थुंकतो ,पण कोणताही पक्षी ते अन्न समजून खातात। ते खाताना ते च्युइंग गम  त्यांचा गळ्यात अटकत व त्यांना श्वास घ्यायला त्रास होतो आणि त्यांचा जिव जातो। हे जग जसा देवाला पाहिजे तसा आपण विचार केला तर सृष्टि ही सुंदर राहिल।

Rakhshaa Bandhan-Strengthening sibling Bond

The ritual these days, has become a farce. The sister ties a decorated wrist thread on the brother's wrist, waves a lamp (symbolic of warding off evil eye). In return(not assumed) she demands her reward. A promise reiterating that the siblings will always stand by each other through thick and thin.
It shouldnt be about exploiting the brother.
It should be about strengthening love between siblings at the two festivals assigned for the same. Not about making one of them spend more. What can cause me feel the pinch can also cause my sibling feel the pinch.

 video.https://www.facebook.com/OmBhajanBhakti/videos/606572182837072/