01-18-2007, 10:45 AM
A large number of hindus in Kerala are controlled by communist party. First thing that happened was the religious significance of most of the festivals were slowly eroded. It is routine to see that by the time Onam comes there will be articles in the paper arguing that Mahabali was an asura king and devas sent him to Patalas. By celebrating visit of asura king we are more conmfortable with asuras than devas. You will always see athiests writing in the newspaper in December about Makara Jyothi at Shabari mala Ayyappa temple.
Another thing was destruction of joint family system actually made these festivals to be just another occasion to have feast.
I think it was during the Congress rule the govt took over Onam festival celebration where it started decorating important places with lights and all. By making it a public festival it got detached from personal touch. It is more like making holi an occassion to paint others while forgeting other aspects of the festival.
Seculaisation of Vidyarambham is church initiative and slowly secularists started giving support to it. Looks like church understood the importance of vidyarambham among people who consider education an important asset. As you said if left unchecked they could eventually become christian festivals.
There are reactions to these efforts by religious hindus as well. For example RSS celebrates Janmashtami with processions in all major towns and Krishna temples. Recently Vinayaka Chathurthi with idol immersion is becoming popular. Ponkala festivals, where women cook food in front of a goddess, is also becoming more common.
However, what I consider as the root cause of destruction of Hindu festivals is nuclearization of families which actually removed the role played by elders.
Another thing was destruction of joint family system actually made these festivals to be just another occasion to have feast.
I think it was during the Congress rule the govt took over Onam festival celebration where it started decorating important places with lights and all. By making it a public festival it got detached from personal touch. It is more like making holi an occassion to paint others while forgeting other aspects of the festival.
Seculaisation of Vidyarambham is church initiative and slowly secularists started giving support to it. Looks like church understood the importance of vidyarambham among people who consider education an important asset. As you said if left unchecked they could eventually become christian festivals.
There are reactions to these efforts by religious hindus as well. For example RSS celebrates Janmashtami with processions in all major towns and Krishna temples. Recently Vinayaka Chathurthi with idol immersion is becoming popular. Ponkala festivals, where women cook food in front of a goddess, is also becoming more common.
However, what I consider as the root cause of destruction of Hindu festivals is nuclearization of families which actually removed the role played by elders.