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)
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)
No comments:
Post a Comment