A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. M.Hin.

www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com or Bally 416-992-2487.

This is the 27th in a series of articles by Dr. Balliram Chadee and Hotshots Newspaper to bring a Hindu Perspective to educate our community. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

  Question: Convenience or Compliance: The auspiciousness of Ganesh Jayanti?

Ans: Today I attempt to write this article because of the many people who have called, email or contacted me about their frustration, annoyance and somewhat disgust about certain Hindu festivals being celebrated, especially here in Canada and the attitude which seems to be adopted by Hindu leaders and the powers that be, in how these festivities are executed. Firstly, let me state very clearly, without any doubt, what each temple does, what each pundit advises and how each religious organization run their affairs, is entirely up to them. It is not my business or the business of any other Hindu Leader or group to advise others how to manage their activities. However when people come forward expressing a view, inquiring about perceived wrongdoing or simply looking to be educated, then I sincerely believe that others who can assist them, should assist them, including myself. I have always advised people that if you attend a certain organization and disagree with what you see, tell your pundit and tell your temple management you do not agree with what you see. You do not have to ill speak them with others, condemn or “bad talk” the same people with whom you mingle weekly, yet gossip about them behind their backs. It is wrong and unethical; give them the chance to hear you, they may correct things. In so saying, the particular issue at stake here is Ganesh Jayanti . This is a sensitive topic and so without intentionally offending anyone, I will share my thoughts, based on my research, knowledge and investigations, as I know it today.

Based on practices in the Caribbean Region, Ganesh Jayanti (manifestation day of Lord Ganesh) falls on and is celebrated on the 4 th day of the bright fortnight, called Shukla Paksha , in the month of Bhaadrapad (September timeframe). On this day, Hindus use a murti which is traditionally made from dirt taken from a river etc, where this actual process, involved certain rituals and worship at the start of collecting that dirt. This murti is also usually made by a dedicated person who lives a specific life for the period needed in making of this murti. After Ganesh Jayanti, where intense devotion and worship with full puja is performed, continuous worship is done to Ganeshji for the following 11 days, which puts the final day at the end of the fortnight on the Tithi (lunar day) of Purnima (15 th day of fortnight, full moon day). Traditionally, full moon night, being the last of the worship day/night is an all night celebration and at the brink of the end of Purnima and prior to sunrise (next Tithi called Pratipaada, which is the first day of the following fortnight) and which is usually Pitri Paksha or commonly called “Pitar Pak”, the murti of Ganeshji is immersed in the water, usually from where the dirt was obtained. The practiced accepted by Hindus for generations have always been to immerse the murti before the start of sunrise (Pitri Paksha) as this period is dedicated to our ancestors (deceased souls) and therefore considered INAUSPICIOUS for religious rites and rituals to be performed. It has been deemed now unacceptable to immerse the murti in water, since the auspicious time has now elapsed, the window of opportunity for this ritual is gone, it is that simple. So then the question is asked by many, how come people are doing Ganeshji puja today and immersing the murti tomorrow? Some immerse murtis are various times, before and after this 11 day period, ignoring Purnima or Pitri Paksha; is it because it is convenient to do so?. Who is right and who is wrong? Again I would say ask your Temple Management and Pundits to explain this to you; maybe even show you the facts for their actions, so then you can be in a better position to advise others on how their decisions are made, and the basis for their actions.

Neither myself nor The Hanuman Mission is part or parcel of any alliance, group, temple or conglomerate who have engaged in any of the above activities and therefore do not have to answer for any others or feel obligated to justify the actions of others. I would also like to further state that in Hinduism, everything done has a significant time and circumstance for the actions committed or the rituals performed, including Ganesh Jayanti. It is not difficult for anyone to conceive the idea or understand that when you miss an auspicious moment, it is gone! Can you go to a breakfast invitation at 7:00pm in the night? No right thinking person would do so, since you missed the window! Would you go to your church service on Wednesday night at 8:30pm when the service schedule is Sunday morning at 9:00am? No, because no one would be there, the doors would be closed and the schedule does not incorporate what you want to do. So then how come so many activities especially for this occasion, (just celebrated) bring so much non conformances even to the same people who have practiced this very tradition in the Caribbean for generations? Why does it bother you so much? Why can't you tell your temple and pundit how you feel? In Hinduism, you must do only that which your heart tells you in service to God. If you know something is wrong, do not take part in it. We have a history and legacy of practicing Hinduism in the Caribbean for over 175 years…which has been tried, tested and which stood the test of time, even till today and stands tall. Don't trade it now, our forefathers made many sacrifices for us to enjoy those benefits, we should be proud. Are we suddenly wrong? Why are we going against traditions? Are we now as Hindus doing things for Convenience? or are we straying from Tradition? How come the rituals and doctrines suddenly changed? Did Canada change Caribbean Hinduism? Did we practice it wrong for 175 years? Are we a new breed of Hindus who now learnt how to perform these Traditions correctly? Did a magical wave of spiritual enlightenment suddenly pass through Canada and we all saw the light? Do we now know how to perform Ganesh Puja and celebrate Ganesh Jayanti annually? Many of the Pundits whom I have spoken with on this issue share common views and agree with the position in this article regarding how Ganesh Yag and Ganesh Jayanti is celebrated here in Canada. Maybe it is time we reflect on the true meaning of the occasion, why it is done, how it is done and the sentimental values associated with this devotion to our sweet Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. Do you have answers for above questions? Is this Compliance or Convenience? You be the Judge!