Too much Glitz signifies Depth of faith?

I'm more than often told I have a different perspective on many things.
I'm Ok with that. As long as I'm honest to my own self and don't live in denial to what I observe and feel - I'm totally OK.. even if I'm on stand-alone.

Why did I mentioned that? Because I had couple of discussions last week and I thought - Really? Can people be So blind-faithed? Though I respect their points of views; I can never think like them.

Couple of weeks ago I visited Triambakeshwar and Shirdi. Two from the list of most revered pilgrimages of India.
Triambakeshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlings dedicated to Lord Shiva. While most of the Shiva temples all around India, including these 12 most revered temples are comparatively modestly maintained; there is a serious problem with the running and maintenance of many other famous temples in India.. and maybe abroad too.

I remember visiting Shirdi some seven-eight years back. I clearly remember how the temple complex was then and also how the main sanctum hall looked.
It was basic, modest and just fine for how a temple should be. Only Baba's accessories and samadhi were ornated with gold, which is a given in any temple.
This time when I visited, I could'nt help but notice and appreciate how much more organised the temple structure was and how easy it was to access locker rooms to mobile lockers to prasad counters etc.
Luckily for us, within half an hour we were in the main hall and that is where I was temporary stalled in my steps with the sight ahead. The main sanctum hall was unrecognizable - it looked more gold than paint!

This wasn't the case earlier. I'm sure, over the years with the devotees faith growing and contributions coming in, there must have been quite a collection of funds happening... but to utilise all that money to gold pillars and what not; is something I cannot relate to.
Anyways, I concentrated on the very nice darshan that we had and moved out to the temple complex.

We sat there for around fifteen minutes or so and within that span I could notice more than a few children begging.. and few wandering and trying to sell Baba's pics and other items to the devotees. Now these children I'm certain were no more than five years of age. Observing this was what got me thinking on the two extremes within the same premises. I wondered was so much gold really required to deck up the place? Wouldn't it have been better if the temple authorities did something about the underprivileged there?

Honestly, the temple WILL get visitors irrespective of the fact if the pillars are in gold/rubies or plain white plaster paint! Ofcourse, it needs to be maintained neat and clean. But apart from that, I really don't believe in the fancy glitz.

And while I do acknowledge the temple trust is making amenities more comfortable and people friendly.. so that there are more and more tourists visiting - I wonder why can't they re-direct the extra inflow they get to do something about the kids/beggars/lower rung  people there?
Probably they might be doing something.. but inspite; there are still children begging/working.. or plain running around there.

Why not set up a trust and hire people who can track these homeless/underprivileged kids and ensure they are provided education of some kind? Maybe some school which again, I'm sure the temple trust can afford?
Basically, what I'm so hoping is - why can't these richie rich places have productive chanelling of all that wealth that is offered there? I'm sure this would be enough cause too for more tourists to flock up.
It's a win-win situation.

But obviously - It's a thought shared not by many or rather not the ones in power there or for that matter at any big religious significant site.

At the end it all because a race for "this temple has most offerings offered and is rich, compared to the others". This thought process is what has become the doom of our country's largest income generating platforms - the famous temples! A place to show off glitz!

Again the same thought; is it really required or justified? I'm not sure. I've spoken to my understanding of sane people [  :p ] and majority had the same say - if we don't deck up and fame our places, who will?

Obviously, fame gains predence over Faith.  

When priorities are confused - how can there be an effective result?

Think on it.


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Thoughts on the Delhi Tiger incident.

More than half the people are blaming the 'authorities' on why they couldn't act on time in the Delhi Zoo case. 

Why on Earth do we forget that We as a culture at large, don't believe in respecting basic rules.. want to be mindless rebels..feel proud of breaking norms.. and then when something like this happens - STILL don't take ownership for our behavior!

Practically speaking too, it would have taken atleast 5-10 minutes for the authorities come over with the tranquilizer injections - if they Do have anything like that! 

Also, for common sense's sake, there cannot be a security/authority shadowing each individual at every public space! There's some ownership of self too.. or are we to assume that we are so moronic to not be responsible at the most basic levels for ourselves too?

Worse is, the blame has been not only fallen on the zoo authorities.. but the animal as well!! IT-IS-BUT-AN-ANIMAL!! Would it say.."Oh, you landed in my territory - let me escort you to the exit??"!!

It was a very disturbing video to see.. but somehow I'm not much affected. Because tomorrow, Again, the situation would be back to square one. Majority among us will again flout rules, act as obtuse cretins and very unhesitatingly still not reflect on the root cause - but will certainly blame the whole world for their misdemeanours!

Umpteen times I end up wondering - What will it take for the majority of our population to dawn in a sense of basic self awareness.?


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Suicide - A call for help or surrendering to dissapointment.

India is declared as the world's suicide capital from the latest study. When I saw this in the news yesterday, I was instantly reminded of the suicides I heard in the last month.
One was of the famous Robin Williams [Ofcourse a non-Indian] to the other two being of friends of friends [Indians].

One was a successful [on the face of it] actor/artist; renowned all over the world for his skill - That of a great comedian! The other two were youngsters with decent and fair looking life - which includes, good family, good education, decent jobs, presentable looks etc.

So when I heard of these, apart from the sadness over a life wasted, the next thought I had was; inspite of all of the above - WHY then? Why do people who look normal..reasonably better off, surrender to life in this manner?

Questions like these can only have rationale, practical answers, in which most of the time we end up blaming the victim that s/he did not reach out for help or calling it cowardice for ending 'the beautiful life' in this way or naming them selfish for being insensitive to the apathy of their loved ones they leave behind.

Are we justified in thinking that way? Obviously, its not a 'Beautiful life' for the ones who are bidding adieu to it. It takes a lot of courage to put an end to a life by your own self. So again, are we justified to think that way? I don't think so.

No, I'm not advocating suicides as such in any which way. But just because we do not understand it, does not give us the right to belittle someone who did go on the forbidden path. It would serve better trying to think and understand why more and more people end up going this path.
Also, a fact to keep in mind would be that people suffering from suicidal tendencies cope with their own sense of strength and understanding for a long time before they succumb.

I'm very certain nobody likes to die a loser. Nobody wants to leave behind families and loved ones in grief. But equally true is not everybody is made of stronger stuff. Not everybody has a high confidence spirit. Not everybody can cope up. It's only when their anguish becomes unbearable, people opt out.

We [undepressed people] may not understand it - but rather than passing judgement over someone's weakness, we could try to understand it and see if we can do something about helping people inclined as such.

If we look around closely in the world around us today; at some point we sure have come across atleast a couple of people who have subtly/directly reached out to us with their problems in the form of sharing or asking suggestions and of who we got aware that they're going through tough times.

Generically speaking, what did we do? Except for the very close ones who effect us directly, we usually don't much have time/inclination to listen and help out the one in need. Blunt and selfish as it may sound, its a fact most of us wouldn't be able to deny. Not because for any other reason, only because we are ourselves lost in the whirlwind of our own day-to-day hustling that we pay proper attention to something only probably when it's late..if not too late.

So where do the people who are broken down and who eventually give up; go too? Sure, there are counselling options and medications. But again, not all think of that option nor can all afford those.
At that time all they want is warmth and understanding. Mostly from the people they love.


Nothing heals more than love. Nothing heals more than feeling that you are wanted, you are valued to a depressed heart.
And that is where the catch is.
Tollsome as it may sound - and is, that is the pressing need of the hour from the near and dear ones associated. Consistent support the griever's anguish is the medicine until the sufferer gets back on his/her feet. It may take months.. maybe years in some cases.. but it helps. I do believe it definitely does!

Only when we are ready to offer the first hand of help can we point fingers and mouth strong opinions against the emotionally weak or the already succumbed to death people.

The only wish we can wish is hope they find peace in the other world.


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