I second the views expressed by @Chimoy. They are very relevant and expose the hypocrisy in our society. Most of the festivals are are now reduced to picnic like celebrations and look like fun fair stalls. In Gujarat the Graba festival is now become an event management with sponsors and tickets for audiences.
Durga poja and the secularism given in the thread are relevant only when they are celebrated as Pujas literally like we celebrate in our home, where there is no scope for commercialism. In that way every Puja and and religious function retain its sanctity.But with the times Puja Pandal construction has become a big competition. The best decorated Pandall will be offered cash Prizes. And this is how commercialism entered in to the realm of religious functions. Now this commercialism is prevailing in Every Puja and religious function.
In fact I read somewhere that non Hindus should not be allowed to take part in Dasara celebrations and Dandiya and Garba dances because it will lead to Love Jihad ! Of course this is ridiculous and laughable , and comes from a small section of people who have no other better business other than creating problems and I feel the less importance the media and others give to such people the better !
I had also read this. I feel that there should be no such restriction in widely celebrated public function. But when the function is private or limited to a residential society only, such restrictions could be okay. Incidentally, in most temples in Orissa, non Hindus are not allowed. This also does not seem wrong. It is wrong to disturb others but okay not to allow others in your own functions.
Religion is not written on the forehead of any one. More over Graba celebration are of private. These are organize by groups of peoples. I am living in area where I never listen about this type restrictions. Here people of all religion celebrate Dusshara, Depawali and other festivals. It is another thing they don't worship like Hindus. If VHP is imposing this type restriction, than what is government is doing.
It happens only in some places and just because someone issues a statement , it does not mean that people are going to automatically obey and do as dictated by them.And government cannot unnecessarily get involved with these petty matters which may or not become a reality ..
Matter is petty, but it is duty of government to assured that every citizen of country obey law and order. Indeed roots racism and religion is much deep in our country. It will take more time to overthrow these. Here we 10 or more members are not in favor of this type of malpractice, like we more people of our country not in support of this evil.
In fact I read somewhere that non Hindus should not be allowed to take part in Dasara celebrations and Dandiya and Garba dances because it will lead to Love Jihad ! Of course this is ridiculous and laughable , and comes from a small section of people who have no other better business other than creating problems and I feel the less importance the media and others give to such people the better !
I had also read this. I feel that there should be no such restriction in widely celebrated public function. But when the function is private or limited to a residential society only, such restrictions could be okay. Incidentally, in most temples in Orissa, non Hindus are not allowed. This also does not seem wrong. It is wrong to disturb others but okay not to allow others in your own functions.
Religion is not written on the forehead of any one. More over Graba celebration are of private. These are organize by groups of peoples. I am living in area where I never listen about this type restrictions. Here people of all religion celebrate Dusshara, Depawali and other festivals. It is another thing they don't worship like Hindus. If VHP is imposing this type restriction, than what is government is doing.
It happens only in some places and just because someone issues a statement , it does not mean that people are going to automatically obey and do as dictated by them.And government cannot unnecessarily get involved with these petty matters which may or not become a reality ..
Matter is petty, but it is duty of government to assured that every citizen of country obey law and order. Indeed roots racism and religion is much deep in our country. It will take more time to overthrow these. Here we 10 or more members are not in favor of this type of malpractice, like we more people of our country not in support of this evil.
I agree, it is the duty of every citizen to abide by the law of the land. For this, the government should implement the law in a strict way. If the government fails, people will take the law in to their hands.
Now, commercialisation is not only related to pandals, but idols and lighting and decoration too. Obviously, money is a very big factor even for Durga Puja, the organisers collect contribution from people but the worst part is they are nowadays never get satisfied whatever they receive as contribution. They start nagging and some use force and so on. The point is Goddess Durga has not asked the organisers to put pressure but it is done because we people always pollute a good environment for our own benefit and that's how we the mortals are responsible for all such vicious act.
When I was in Rourkela, Odisha, I had an opportunity to be a member in the Central Puja Committee. I was given this opportunity because of Artistic talent.The Committee will be given a car and the members should visit all puja pandals including mofussil regions. And the committee chooses the Best Puja Pandal taking in to consideration all facts like Murty, electrical decoration and the number of visitors to the pandal.
We know how the Puja committees try to influence the committee .Actually, there is a rule that any puja committee should not extort the contribution by force. But unfortunately, like any other rule, this rule too is not implemented. Because the the law makers get a share out of the collection of contributions.
Durga Puja or any other religious festival raises one question very strongly that a country like India which has a great number of people under poverty line but the puja committee's believe in extravaganza as well as they have feast on the contributor's money. This part of any festival is ridiculous and it should be checked. A section of people do not have food to eat while celebrations are examples of wastage of money. I feel this is incomplete and unjust puja celebration.
I agree with you. In this age of scarcities in every sphere of life, pomp, dazzle, extravagance seem sacrilegious. Food wastage is visible everywhere in every religious festivals be it Durga Puja or Ganesh Puja. Gone are the days when public pujas are celebrated without pomp and extravagance.
I'm of the opinion that since Religion is personal, public Pujas should be avoided. Better if people restrict these Pujas to their respective homes.
As I came to know that this time in Kolkata one idol of Goddess Durga is made 80 ft high or so and there was huge rush of people to have a look of it and it resulted into stampede. If it was made with an intention to preserve then it's fine but making when it's not so, then, what is the use? Sheer wastage of time, money, labour as well as life.
Making tall idols has become a trend here too in my state AP. This trend is not just restricted to Durga Puja alone. Puja Pandals are vying with each other in creating records.Devotion is nowhere visible. And all this money is extracted from the residents.
