CHANGING TIMES AND FIATH
Early in childhood e were told about our Kul Devata/Kul Devi (Family God/Goddess) and on every auspicious occasion, the family worshipped the same with elaborate arrangements and whole village was invited. In addition the village folks worshipped , in our case, the Village Devi (Shakti) on anuual basis like on Durga Asthami .
According to nau- grahs, each day of the week is assigned to a particular God or Goddess. Monday for Lord Shiva, Tuesday for Lord Hanuman, Wednesday for Lord Krishna, Thursday for Lord Vishnu. Friday for Shakti (Goddess Durga, Kali or Santoshi mata),Saturday for Lord Shani and Sunday is for Lord Surya (Sun).Accordingly, the long queues in front of temples are indicative of the popularity of a particular God. With a huge population of believers, the faithful throng the temples on each day of the week.
However faithful seem to be navigating from one God and Goddess to another and to another depending on the delivery mechanism of each of them. There is enough completion and now some modern day Gods and Goddesses have also been made part of the race. Since the revenues of the temples depend on the offerings of the faithful, there is no room for complacency. It is no wonder that temples of Lord Shiva or Lord Hanuman as others have to accommodate other gods and goddesses within their complex to ward off the completion. The idea is not only to retain their Bhakts but also to attract as, many more as possible. Huge Statues of Lords Shiva, Hanuman, Shani and others are being put up to attract visitors. These statues can be seen from miles on the highways.
Current favorite in North India are Lord Shani and Shirdi ke Sai Baba. Even a smallest temple has put up the Murties of Lord Shani and Shirdi Ke Sai Baba to retain their visitorship.
I think it all has to do with the results, who can deliver fast and for sure. Most of time it is based on hearsay, words of mouth... Such and such person did this and was blessed with a son or a child. Such and such did that and were blessed with success in job or business or litigation or just about everything. More the success stories more the faithful and more the offerings.
Are these the signs of changing times in FAITH or just a passing phase?
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