01-04-2011, 12:53 AM
Ever since independence many important and famous mandirs have been taken over by state governments. It makes most common folks wonder. On take over the BABUS enjoy lavish perks. When other highly placed VIP'S visit they are extended extraordinary treatment and commoners those already present that day are mistreated even harassed to accomodate the inordinate services most often being rendered to the VIP's.
Ordinary Mandirs are laced with age-old rituals: male & females must sit seperately, must squat on floors, pay they homage to their lord, do perkrima and take pershad and charnamat. Pujaris repeat the same ritual each morning and at night. The only addition is the electronic noise makers and electrical lights.
Even age old casteist rituals have not changed. In most villages our poor brethern (DALITS)and scheduled castes are refused enterance. It is the same in our modern cities.
Our PUJARIS perform services for which they were never hired i.e., astrology and doing special havans for their believers.
Writer is not an expert scholar of Hinduism and seeks forgiveness for hurting anyone's feelings.
Narindar Sabharwal
Ordinary Mandirs are laced with age-old rituals: male & females must sit seperately, must squat on floors, pay they homage to their lord, do perkrima and take pershad and charnamat. Pujaris repeat the same ritual each morning and at night. The only addition is the electronic noise makers and electrical lights.
Even age old casteist rituals have not changed. In most villages our poor brethern (DALITS)and scheduled castes are refused enterance. It is the same in our modern cities.
Our PUJARIS perform services for which they were never hired i.e., astrology and doing special havans for their believers.
Writer is not an expert scholar of Hinduism and seeks forgiveness for hurting anyone's feelings.
Narindar Sabharwal