Temples In India-1.pdf - Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA PATRIKAThe Temple Festivals ofNorth IndiaNANDINI SHARMAThe fundamental unity underlyingdiversity in Indian culture is bestvisualised from the festivals and fairsexultantly lionized throughoutthe year in all parts of thecountry. The inborn feeling ofa great nation having a longcherished rich historical andcultural background is bestreflected by the festivalsobserved by the people. Thecelebrated poet Kalidasa hassaid: Utsava priyah khalumanushyah.The Hindus from the earliesttimes have been very spiritualand religious-minded. Amidstan intricate atmosphere, itwas the conspectus that theyshould lead a very pious andmeritorious life so as to freethemselves from the unendingchain of births and re-birthsand attain salvation. Theyobserved fasts, participatedin the religious festivals and went out toholy places on pilgrimages. The idea ofattaining Moksha finds expression in theverses of contemporary inscriptions: (that)the sovereignty over earth is as shiftingas the clouds wafted on the wind, theenjoyment of objects is pleasing for amoment; the life of a man is like a drop ofwater (hanging) on the point of a blade ofgrass and dharma is one’s only realTEMPLE INDIAcompanion, in the journey to the nextworld.The life of a man in India is deeply dousedin colourful festivities both religious andsocial. The followers of different religionslive in India in peaceful conformitypractising their faith according to theircustoms and beliefs and punctiliouslyfollowing the dictum of the MauryanEmperor Asoka that “People of diversesects should reside in all places becausethey all desire self-restraint and purity ofheart”. Religious festivals in deference ofvarious deities have been mentioned inancient Indian literature and epigraphs:Ka imam dasabhirmamendramkrinati dhenubhih ITada vritrani jadadhanada- dhainamme punardadat Rigveda IV, 24, 10192