
Two ancient temples in Madhya Pradesh, Pashupatinath in Mandsaur and Bade Ganesh in Ujjain, celebrated Independence Day on August 11, four days before the national date. The early observance follows a tradition…
Two ancient temples in Madhya Pradesh, Pashupatinath in Mandsaur and Bade Ganesh in Ujjain, celebrated Independence Day on August 11, four days before the national date. The early observance follows a tradition based on Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi, the Hindu calendar date that corresponded to August 15, 1947. This year that date fell on August 11.
At the Pashupatinath Temple, where the tradition began in 1985, priests performed a special abhishek with durva grass and chanted Vedic hymns, praying for India to become a developed nation by 2047. The Bade Ganesh Temple held a Tiranga Yatra and hoisted the flag on its spire. About 250 devotees attended the Mandsaur event, according to PTI.
Some may dismiss these early celebrations as a ritualistic gimmick, while others might present them as a profound statement of cultural sovereignty. The truth lies in between: the temples are following a sincere local tradition that harmonises faith with patriotism. But this practice is voluntary and not universal among Hindus. The key test will be whether such observances remain niche or inspire broader acceptance of Hindu calendar dates for national holidays, and whether they unite or divide public sentiment.
Source: rediff.com
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