Rituals....

As I was coming to work, I happened to listen to FM Radio and in that programme, they were discussing about belief in god and the rituals to be followed. Lot of Chennaites called the radio station and poured their feelings. Even I was thinking I should call and resisted my temptation, but thoughts were around that topic.


Belief in god is a highly debatable topic, so I would not want to get to that, but following rituals... Interestingly, most of the custom that are being followed by us today, have been started with a reason, but with questioning being a taboo in the Indian Society, we did not question the reason behind these customs. Also, the elders just asked us to do something, without actually making us understand the significance of the same. So, it has ended up like my father did this, I am doing and you also continue to do so. The younger generation without understanding the reason is losing interest in following the same or making a mockery out of those customs.


Let me quote an example, there is a tradition of putting an art in front of the house, early in the morning, we call this Kolam (கோலம்). This art is done with Rice Flour. The reason behind drawing this in the house is to feed ants to show one must take care of other forms of life. The entrance decoration is also a gesture of welcome. Now, I find a sticker pasted in front of all the houses, defeating the purpose of why we should do this.

Any such ritual that has been followed for ages has been practices with a purpose and it would be meaningful if we understand the reason behind the same and follow it. otherwise let us not do it.