Generally, Hindus are genetically religious people. A small corner for worshipping is common in most of the Hindu households. Idol worshipping is part of their religious practices.
There are occasions and festivals when Hindus worship these idols for a set period of time, after which they are immersed in water - mainly a river or ocean.
It is said that keeping the idols after those auspicious days, and not immersing them in water may bring bad luck.
Being a Hindu, I also observe a few of the above mentioned practices. Earlier, I never did this immersion practice but recently I started, just out of sheer enjoyment and fun.
However, a recent experience opened my eyes and I decided that the idols which are sitting in my car for over a month waiting to be immersed, will not go anywhere.
(I had thought I would immerse the idols in water or put them at some place where they are not disrespected, but due to my over busy schedule I could not do so and the idols remained in my car)..
During a recent visit to Kanpur, I happen to notice this ugly sight (see the photos)..
These idols were just lying like a heap of rubbish near the river Ganges. People were walking by those poor idols wearing shoes albeit at home, I am sure, the owners of those idols took off their footwear before worshiping them.
Some people wee throwing their wastes on the same heap taking it for rubbish.
The neglect and disrespect of those hapless idols, which we take pain to choose with care when buying and which we worship during the festival, presented a sorry and ugly picture of religious rituals. I decided that the idols which are sitting in my car will not be discarded this way.
They can stay in one of my flower pots and decay into soil. I am no more bothered about bad luck!
The picture of that heap of broken and maligned idols also made me think that it is time we should innovate better ways for their immersion.
No religion tells us to pollute our environment and no religion recommends insult to deities in any form.
It's not only idols but we also need to find better environment friendly ways for disposing off the material used for worshipping - be it idols or garlands or coconuts or any other thing.
After seeing these pictures my mind changed. And if even one more mind changes after reading this (the piece of my mind), I will feel I have done a bit of my duty towards society and my country.
