Orthodox Hindu rituals which have no scientific proof for their results are still practiced at different places in India. I happened to see one such ritual at my own parental village in Uttranchal. It is called a 'jagar'. Jagar is not similar to other rituals performed by Hindus. Its different because the method to worship is very unholy. Some animals like goat, gecko and frogs etc are worshiped and then sacrificed in the name of pleasing the demigods. Some selected people dance like crazy around fire. The village people think that they are avatars of God! So called holy men smoke 'ganja'- or the local form of drugs in communities and dance when they're out, all in the name of God. Few men in the village who are otherwise purposeless and job-less argue in its favor, and tell people to believe this for the fear of God.
People there think that each community or caste has their own demigod(s) that takes care of that particular sub-society! So each caste's people have their own temples and their own demigods.
The rituals are still practiced but as people go more aware day by day, many of them know that it usually has no god-pleasing effects. Women are still the victim of ignorance and the men have no become victim of their own foolishness by conducting such rituals. They are reluctant to accept their past mistakes.
It was a pity to see some people to fake this stuff and others just being ignorant of the truth. I told people around me that i don't believe it and just walked out of there... its hard to fight some established practice like that without having power of legitimacy. Even authorities prefer not to interfere in people's works and beliefs.
The youngsters and children of village seem to just accept it as is, and do not want to fight against it. I felt sorry and powerless. Later i thought about the importance of good education in life, and educating youngsters about this, so that the coming generations don't do it anymore.
People there think that each community or caste has their own demigod(s) that takes care of that particular sub-society! So each caste's people have their own temples and their own demigods.
The rituals are still practiced but as people go more aware day by day, many of them know that it usually has no god-pleasing effects. Women are still the victim of ignorance and the men have no become victim of their own foolishness by conducting such rituals. They are reluctant to accept their past mistakes.
It was a pity to see some people to fake this stuff and others just being ignorant of the truth. I told people around me that i don't believe it and just walked out of there... its hard to fight some established practice like that without having power of legitimacy. Even authorities prefer not to interfere in people's works and beliefs.
The youngsters and children of village seem to just accept it as is, and do not want to fight against it. I felt sorry and powerless. Later i thought about the importance of good education in life, and educating youngsters about this, so that the coming generations don't do it anymore.
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