Pink Twins

Pink Twins
Gangtok

Yellow Villa

Yellow Villa
Gangtok

Sparkling Rai Saag

Sparkling Rai Saag
Gangtok

Lovely Poppy Flowers

Lovely Poppy Flowers
Gangtok

A Different type of Seasonal Flower

A Different type of Seasonal Flower
Gangtok

Blue Flavour

Blue Flavour
Gangtok

Pink & White Combination

Pink & White Combination

Dark Pink Flavour

Dark Pink Flavour
Gangtok 6th March 16

Purple Charm

Purple Charm
CS Quarter Gangtok

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip
Conservatory Near Selep Tank

Charm of Red Tulips

Charm of Red Tulips
Conservatory near Selep Tank

Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha
1-D Terminal New Delhi

Attraction of Red Panda

Attraction of Red Panda
Saramsa Garden

Lord Ganesh made of oranges

Lord Ganesh made of oranges
Saramsa Garden

Charm of Seasonal Flower

Charm of Seasonal Flower
Gaurds Ground Gangtok

Unmatched beauty

Unmatched beauty
Sikkim Organic Festival

Green is always soothing

Green is always soothing
Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Somewhere in Gangtok

White Orchid

White Orchid
Manan Kendra

Purple Orchid

Purple Orchid
Manan Kendra, 31-10-2015

Gift of Nature

Gift of Nature
Near Cherry Building

Majestic View of Sea

Majestic View of Sea
Marina, Chennai, 19-10-15

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting
Hotel Nork Hill

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle
Nork Hill, 24-11-2015

Mirror Trick

Mirror Trick
Hotel Nork Hill, Gtok, 24-11-2015

Yes we have the power

Yes we have the power
Qtr at Devt Area, 25-11-2015

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA
Gangtok dt 20-11-2015

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK
NEW DELHI 22-10-15

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE
MRS MALI SMU 13-10-2015

SAROD RECITAL

SAROD RECITAL
SMU CONVOCATION 13-10-15

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE
ITM GANGTOK 14-10-15

RED BEAUTY

RED BEAUTY
GANGTOK

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
MAYFAIR GANGTOK

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

OM NAMAH SHIVAY
MAYFAIR GANGTOK 02-11-15

Smile and Joy

Smile and Joy
24th September Delhi

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed
Gangtok

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok on 7-10-15

Morning Glow

Morning Glow
Denzong Regency- Gangtok on 7-10-15

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid
Pakyong Area

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
Bojeytar Pakyong 26 Feb 15

Tabla or Log Piece

Tabla or Log Piece
HMI Darjeeling Nov 2014

Hand can do anything

Hand can do anything
Birla Science Museum Kolkata

Legacy and Heritage

Legacy and Heritage
Indian Museum Kolkata

Queen Nephretus of Egypt

Queen Nephretus of Egypt
India Museum Kolkata 4th Mar 15

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece
Tashi Delek June 2014

Foot Print of Bason

Foot Print of Bason
Satpura Forest

Foot Print of Tiger

Foot Print of Tiger
Satpura Forest (MP) March 14

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Lovely Twins

Lovely Twins

Pink,Pink,Pink

Pink,Pink,Pink
Orchid,not only Spl ,It lasts longer Also

Clean Water has a Different Impact

Clean Water has a Different Impact
Rangeet at Jorethang ,24-11-14

What a Ravishing Beauty ?

What a Ravishing Beauty ?
Teesta near Kalijhora, 19-12-14

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty
K.JUNGA, 6:20 AM 18 -12-14

Another Dawn View -Different Angle

Another Dawn View -Different Angle
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

View at Dawn in Biting Cold

View at Dawn in Biting Cold
K.JUNGA 18-12

Dawn Scene-2

Dawn Scene-2
V Awas 18 -12-14

Dawn Scenario

Dawn Scenario
K.JUNGA

Morning Means End of Night

Morning Means End of Night
K. JUNGA,

View at Dawn

View at Dawn
K.JUNGA 2 ,18-12-14

Early Morning Freshness

Early Morning Freshness
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

What an eye opener early in the day?

What an eye opener early in the day?
View of 17-12-2014 from Terrace of V. Awas

Another view of full snow around Mt Kanchendzonga

Another view of full snow around  Mt Kanchendzonga
17-12-2014

Magnificent view after bone chilling night

Magnificent view after bone chilling night
17-12-2014

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night
Vidhayak Awas Gangtok

Amazing charm of Green Orchid

Amazing charm of Green Orchid
HMI Darjeeling

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
HMI DARJEELING (13-11-14)

Bell Flower in full bloom

Bell Flower in full bloom

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Dec 14 Circuit House

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires
Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom
November 14 Ganesh Tok Gangtok

What a view after getting up ?

What a view after getting up ?
B-1 Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga
11-11-2014 VIP COLONY

Red Rose

Red Rose
Gangtok

Cranes having Gala Time

Cranes having Gala Time
Tigaon, Faridabad (2nd Oct 14)

Yes I am from Faridabad

Yes I am from Faridabad
Tiny, Beautiful Bird at NTPC, Ballabgarh (29.9.14)

Water Vital for Life

Water Vital for Life
Awesome view of Teesta near Kalijhora

Yes I had a Bath

Yes I had a Bath
Gladiola at 6200 ft.

Soothing Morning View

Soothing Morning View
Mt. Khangchendzonga from C.House (April, 14)

Natural Yellow Fascinates

Natural Yellow Fascinates
Gangtok (April, 2014)

Flowery Bell ?

Flowery Bell ?
Circuit House (May 14)

Riot of Colour in Monsoon

Riot of Colour in Monsoon
Circuit House, Gangtok(May 14)

Blushing orange

Blushing orange
Circuit House Gangtok (May 14)

Magnificent Taj

Magnificent Taj
Sept 2013

I can lift Taj Mahal

I can lift Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal,Sept end 2013

Natural fan to beat the heat

Natural fan to beat the heat
India Gate (24.08.14)

Engineering Marvel

Engineering Marvel
Coronation Bridge (22.08.2014)

Cascading water, soothing to eyes

Cascading water, soothing to eyes
Scene near Teesta Baazar (22.8.14)

Teesta attracts at every bend

Teesta attracts at every bend
16.7.2014

Monkey jump

Monkey jump
Teesta River, Birik(22.8.14)

Onset of Night

Onset of Night
Qutub,Sept.13

Qutub,Dusk Scene

Qutub,Dusk Scene
Sept.13

Together we take a Plunge

Together we take a Plunge
Clean Calicut Beach, Feb-2013

Setting Sun, always soothing

Setting Sun, always soothing
Dusk at a Gaya village(15.5.13)

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle
Lake surrounding Purana Quila(20.10.13)

Friday, June 12, 2009

INDIA- A LAND OF MULTIPLE RELIGIONS


Religion represents a belief or a system of faith in the existence of Gods or Goddesses or a superhuman controlling power. It finds expression in the innumerable ways and types of worship patterns, human beings take recourse to in various social systems. It assists an individual in identifying himself with his group or association. It supports him in the phase of uncertainty, disappointment and distress. In the ultimate analysis, it acts to reinforce the unity and stability of the society.

Religion, as practiced in the present era, had its genesis in the beliefs in soul, natural phenomena such as sun, moon, wind, floods, thunder, earthquakes etc. as also the beliefs in totems. The belief in soul takes the form of spirit after death. The soul spirit, it is believed, can be present in plants and animals as well. The animism as a theory of religion, originated to satisfy man’s intellectual curiosity about death, dreams, illusions, hallucinations and visions. On the other hand, as per naturism, man could not explain or control the super natural powers. Therefore, he not only submitted and surrendered himself to those forces but also began worshiping them. Such an exercise gradually ensured a kind of emotional satisfaction and stability to the mankind.

According to another view point, religion in its elementary forms was concerned with beliefs and rituals of the sacred objects and events of the society. In the primitive societies, based on clans, a totem such as tree, animal or rock began to be worshiped. In due course of time, religion could take proper form and became instrumental in reinforcing and promoting social solidarity. According to still another school of thought, religion evolved due to anxiety and stress situations such as birth, marriage and death faced and experienced by the human beings from time to time.

India, right from the beginning has been a land of multiple faiths, persuasions, and sects. At present, there are six major religious categories : Hindus forming 82.64 percent of population, followed by Muslims (11.35%), Christians (2.43%), Sikhs (1.96%), Buddhists (0.71%) and Jains (0.48%). Apart from these, a small percentage still practice animism and naturism along with their new religions. Also there are some groups, such as, the Jews, Zoroastrians and Bahais who follow religions brought in by the migrant communities.

Hinduism is a pantheistic religion comprising of many sects, scriptures, worship patterns and deities. An average follower’s life is based on the idea of purity and pollution. It is governed by such notions as samsara (world), karma (deed), punya (right deed), papa (evil deed), dharma (prescribed course of conduct) and moksha (liberation of soul). Besides these thelogical notions, influence of Varna and Ashrama on the life of an individual Hindu cannot possibly be undermined.

The Varna hierarchy : Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras is explained in terms of the alleged deeds of a person in his previous life. A Hindu can hope for an upward mobility in the next birth provided he has performed with care, the duties attached to his Varna and observed a disciplined and austere life. The element of rigidity concerning Varna and Jatis resulting into social inequalities has been adequately highlighted in all great Hindu scriptures – the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Gita.

Over the years, nonetheless, several protest movements have taken place against Hinduism. The rise of Jainism and Buddhism in the sixth century B.C. as a reaction against the orthodox Brahamanism can be considered as the first major religious protest movement. The Jainism questioned and denied the authority of the Vedas and generated a certain revolt against the Vedic sacrifices. The Buddhism, while accepting the essential teachings of the Upanishads, supported Jainism in denouncing Vedic sacrifices and the Brahamanic supremacy. Both the religions, however, stood for the cause of common man, by asserting the common spiritual right of all men, acknowledging compassion and love for all living beings, preaching in the language of common people and above all, rejecting the authority of the arrogant and all pervading Brahmins.

The third religious group to emerge as a protest against the established religions is Sikhism. Unlike Jainism and Buddhism, it is a relatively young religion. Guru Nanak, their founder too reacted against the dominance of the Brahmin priests, their legalistic controls as also the Islamic orthodoxy. The notable Sikh sects to emerge over the years are: Udasis, Sahajdharis, Keshdharis, Nirankaris and Namdharis. The Udasis sect founded by Baba Sri Chand, elder son of Guru Nanak in the15 century, comprises of a group of asetic men who either do not wear clothes or wear yellow robes. The Sahajdharis or the slow adopters are shaven like Hindus. They do not subscribe to the militant teachings promoted by Guru Govind Singh. The Keshdharis (hair-wearers), the most popular face of Sikhism today include sub-sects, such as, the Amritdharis or Khalsas, the Nihangs, and the Nirmals.

The Nirankaris, founded by Baba Dayal Das in the middle of 19th century, follow an Upanishadic vision of the formless, eternal nature of God, popularized by Guru Nanak. But they accept an on going line of living Gurus. The Namdharis or the Kukas too evolved as a reform group in the 19th century. By following vegetarianism and sporting straight white turbans, they stand apart vis-à-vis other sects. They too have a living Guru, who is reported to have descended from the original Gurus. They espouse that Guru Govind Singh, the tenth and the last Guru of Sikhs did not die at Nanded. Rather, according to them, he went incognito to Amritsar and bestowed the Gurgaddi (leadership) on Guru Balak Singh.

Christianity and Islam in India are generally perceived to be products of conquest and colonization. However, it is fact that Christianity was preached in our liberal and tolerant country in the first century A D. In the same way, Islam was propagated by the Arab migrants in the Malabar region of South India from the 7th century onwards. The three southern states, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala together account for more than 60 percent of the Christians in India. Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Goa and Daman & Diu too have a sizeable percentage of Christians. Thus Christians are dispersed in different regions and are ethnically divided. There are denominations such as Catholics, Protestants, Anglo-Indians, Tribal Christians, Neo-Christians, Syrian Christians etc., all speaking different languages and pursuing myriad styles of life.

Muslims are the largest minority community in India. Like Christians, they are both concentrated and dispersed. Islam as a faith too is sharply divided, both denominationally and ethnically. The division into Shias and Sunnis is universal. It, unfortunately, results into frequent clashes between the two not only in India but elsewhere too. It can be said that past political glory, substantial size, ability to adapt local mores, folkways and cultures and a commitment to propagate their religion, makes Indian Muslims a collectivity distinct vis- a- vis other religions.

The above attempted analysis goes on to prove that India has a positive Kaleidoscope of religions. There is more diversity of religions, sects and denominations in India than anywhere else in the world. Apart from having nearly all the world’s great religious collectivities represented here, India has been also the birthplace of three of the world’s greatest religions. The country, in addition, has the proud privilege to commemorate a few of the religion founder’s birthdays as the Gazetted Holidays,

Over the years it has been observed that various religions could exist and prosper in our multi-ethnic society in an atmosphere of tolerance, peace and harmony. The phenomenon of communalism involving Hindus and Muslims took birth only in the beginning of the 20th century. Same can be also considered a colonial legacy. The dedicated and devoted architects of the Indian Constitution, after having been convinced that communalism was in no way conducive to national integration provided the country a secular character. It has ensured a peaceful co-existence of all the religions without any State patronage. However, it is a matter of concern that some political configurations still voice their opinion in favour of a particular religion or faith, by duly taking adequate precaution to survive and sustain under the ambit of a secular setting.

It will be worthwhile to flag that the occasional communal tensions should not be taken as a threat to the process of secularization. Many studies have shown that the material interests rather than the religious considerations, on the one hand and personal interests and enmity rather than the group interests on the other, have been instrumental in sowing the seeds of hatred against each other. They also instigate and perpetuate the communal tensions. The firm faith in the dictum ‘Unity in Diversity’, prevalent in the mind of an average Indian has been always successful in crushing the evil designs of certain self proclaimed warriors of God, who, time and again, try to make a futile effort to prove that India’s Secular Democracy has a fragile face. Needless to say, such a faith has sustained us. It will continue to do so.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Glad to see the article and will read
in detail and let you know.