Changing Perspectives of Kanya Poojan
>> Monday, October 3, 2011
Most of the time, during Navratri festival, I keep on missing the old days. When every eight and ninth day of Navaratri is truly a festival for us. Our neighbors used to call me and my elder sister to their homes for Ashtmi and Naumi poojan. Mom used to wake us up early so that we can take bath and wear good / new clothes to attend Pooja. The bhog means treat for us and that One Rupee which we get as gift during Pooja, was a Treasure. As a kanya, we were considered the most auspicious, the most clear minded and clear souled individual.
I really miss those days for Anushka, my lovely daughter. She in her conscience have never been invited for pooja by anyone. I don't think, she might ever be able to feel the festivity of these auspicious days. By the way, we were also taught (by Mom) the legend behind this pooja. So, we try to do good deeds on these days and try to be as religious as we could.
Now a days, time is changing. The festival, as per me, has become so meaningless. I don't know for what reason, finding young girls in many localities has become so difficult thing. Most of the time, It is a regular school day, so all the kids are off to school. The only option left out from this is that the children of maids and other laborers, who live in some slum around. These children keep on ringing door bell time and again on these two days, Asking, "Kanya khilaoge kya?"
This very day, even we don't mind that these under privileged kids are not going to school. The ringing bell time to time from early morning to late afternoon makes me irritated. Even though, I am a religious person by heart, yet, this all makes me furious.
Honestly speaking, inviting those unwashed, unclean kids with tattered clothes and unkempt hair and repulsive odour to my place, makes the performance of this ritual with true devotion, very challenging. I know, it is not possible for everyone to wear new clothes these days, but is it that difficult to keep your children clean, that too for some auspicious occasion. Now, How can this all be done with true bhakti bhawana? Well, understood, may be Goddess loves to play with us, may be she wants to test our patience, even then, why most of these children don't bother about "Bhog" or "Prasaad" and just interested in "Money"? Why, if by any reason, we can not give them money or gifts, they start throwing abuses?
Well, not only because of this ritualistic theory has this festival lost its virtue in my eyes, but also because of the fact, that girls no longer are considered "Devi" or "Kanya Devi" in most of the people's heart. Femininity, as Divinity, or the Divine thing is only fashionable thing to say, really, really nothing more than that...
The ever growing violence and crime against girls / women which comprises of foeticide, infanticide, molestation, rapes, sexual offenses and abuses, the ill treatment they receive, and the fact that female is most of the times considered steps below male, is a huge reason itself.
I want to dedicate this post of mine.. to all the girls and women, who have suffered.. what they were not meant to be suffer... To the souls of little princesses of Nithari.... , to the souls of little butterflies which were killed before seeing the light of the life, to the souls of twinkling eyes of the parent whose daughter had been sacrificed to the demon of dowry and to all those aspiring hearts who want to achieve something but were not allowed to.. because of gender bias.
Don't know how to put a meaningful end to this post, but would request the people who read this, to understand the true meaning of the festivals they celebrate. To have values and heart while performing pooja and not just because it is meant to be performed, it should be performed. Our Culture have many aspects which gives us true meaning of joyful life, try to understand the culture and foremost listen to your heart, It never misguides you.
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I really miss those days for Anushka, my lovely daughter. She in her conscience have never been invited for pooja by anyone. I don't think, she might ever be able to feel the festivity of these auspicious days. By the way, we were also taught (by Mom) the legend behind this pooja. So, we try to do good deeds on these days and try to be as religious as we could.
Now a days, time is changing. The festival, as per me, has become so meaningless. I don't know for what reason, finding young girls in many localities has become so difficult thing. Most of the time, It is a regular school day, so all the kids are off to school. The only option left out from this is that the children of maids and other laborers, who live in some slum around. These children keep on ringing door bell time and again on these two days, Asking, "Kanya khilaoge kya?"
This very day, even we don't mind that these under privileged kids are not going to school. The ringing bell time to time from early morning to late afternoon makes me irritated. Even though, I am a religious person by heart, yet, this all makes me furious.
Honestly speaking, inviting those unwashed, unclean kids with tattered clothes and unkempt hair and repulsive odour to my place, makes the performance of this ritual with true devotion, very challenging. I know, it is not possible for everyone to wear new clothes these days, but is it that difficult to keep your children clean, that too for some auspicious occasion. Now, How can this all be done with true bhakti bhawana? Well, understood, may be Goddess loves to play with us, may be she wants to test our patience, even then, why most of these children don't bother about "Bhog" or "Prasaad" and just interested in "Money"? Why, if by any reason, we can not give them money or gifts, they start throwing abuses?
Well, not only because of this ritualistic theory has this festival lost its virtue in my eyes, but also because of the fact, that girls no longer are considered "Devi" or "Kanya Devi" in most of the people's heart. Femininity, as Divinity, or the Divine thing is only fashionable thing to say, really, really nothing more than that...
The ever growing violence and crime against girls / women which comprises of foeticide, infanticide, molestation, rapes, sexual offenses and abuses, the ill treatment they receive, and the fact that female is most of the times considered steps below male, is a huge reason itself.
I want to dedicate this post of mine.. to all the girls and women, who have suffered.. what they were not meant to be suffer... To the souls of little princesses of Nithari.... , to the souls of little butterflies which were killed before seeing the light of the life, to the souls of twinkling eyes of the parent whose daughter had been sacrificed to the demon of dowry and to all those aspiring hearts who want to achieve something but were not allowed to.. because of gender bias.
Don't know how to put a meaningful end to this post, but would request the people who read this, to understand the true meaning of the festivals they celebrate. To have values and heart while performing pooja and not just because it is meant to be performed, it should be performed. Our Culture have many aspects which gives us true meaning of joyful life, try to understand the culture and foremost listen to your heart, It never misguides you.
