The consecutive sequence on the occasion of 'Somvati Amavasya' on 3rd of June 2019 dragged me along with my family to Haridwar. This time my first quarry to the 'Pandits' (Generally called as Panda') was "What brings one to Haridwar time and again" was prevailed over by explanation that neither it is the strength of money, nor the desire, but it is the call of Ganga that brings someone to Haridwar, cherished by the 'Faith'. Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking - Khalil Gibran. It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living. The reason why being faithful is so important is that it allows us to access a source of strength and hope that would otherwise not be accessible. Faith powerfully convinces us that everything will eventually take a positive turn. This, in turn, gives us the necessary confidence to see things through. In Hinduism, the river Ganges is considered sacred and is personified as the 'Goddess Ganga' referred by some other names such as: Jaahanvi, Nikita, Jaahnukanya, Sapteshwari, Chitraani, Tridhara, Bhagirathi, Shubhra, Vaishnavi, Vishnupadi, Bhagvatpadi, Mahabhadra, Mandaakni, Meghna, Meghal, Gangika, Gange, Gangeshwari and Alaknanda. Holy Ganga (commonly called as 'Maa Ganga') repeatedly invoked in the Vedas, the Puranas, and the two Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Ganga finds its mention in Rig Veda the holiest of the Hindu scriptures. Its descent on earth is linked to the King Sagara for the salvation (Moksh) of his sixty thousand sons, the ancestors of Bhagiratha. On its banks, from the very beginning of time many of the Rishis, Munis and Tapasvis have been performing their spiritual endeavors. There are few things on which Hindu India, diverse as it is, might agree. But of the Ganges, India speaks with one voice. The Ganges carries an immense cultural and religious meaning for Hindus of every region and every sectarian persuasion. The more we dip in the Holy Ganga, the more we will desire to dip. The Haridwar is a 'Tirtha'. In Sanskrit a pilgrim place is known as a 'Tirtha', which is reference to a holy site or a pilgrim place. Tirtha means a passage, a roadway, a staircase or a descent into a river. Customarily and traditionally these attributes are associated with pilgrim places which happen to be upon the banks or near rivers and water bodies or on the top of a hill or a mountain. The bathing in the Ganga water is considered as remission of sins and the liberation from the cycle of life and death. Pilgrims immerse the ashes of their kin in the Ganges, which is considered to bring the spirits closer to 'Moksha'. Moreover, pilgrimage works to propagate practices among diverse regions because stories and tales of effective and attractive ritual acts circulate along with pilgrims. In the process, they contribute to the preservation of Hinduism, elevating the character and consciousness of its people, uniting them into one nation despite their regional and cultural diversity, and creating feelings of belongingness and brotherhood.
Hindu pilgrimage is rooted in ancient scriptures. According to textual scholars, the earliest reference to Hindu pilgrimage is in the Rigveda (c. 1500 BCE), in which the "wanderer" is praised. Numerous later texts: including the epic Mahabharata (c. 300 BCE-300 CE) and several of the mythological Puranas (c. 300-750 CE), elaborate on the capacities of particular sacred sites to grant boons, such as health, wealth, progeny, and deliverance after death. When we speak of Hinduism, it actually believes in only one god, but in many forms, both male and female deities are worshipped with equal reverence in Hinduism and the goal of life in Hinduism is to attain salvation (Moksha). Taking a dip in holy waters is well conceived and connected with the Hindu belief. It is not only in Hinduism that water has been treated as an object of reverence. Water has been considered pious not only in Hindu scriptures but in the Holy Bible and Quran also. In Mahabharata, Ganga water is treated at par with elixir of Gods. In most Hindu families, a vial of water from the Ganga is kept in every house.
My enthusiasm about 'Somvati Amavasya' carried me further to the door steps of theological community, who refurbished me about religious significance of this occasion. Amavasya, or Amavasi, is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night of the first quarter of the lunar month. 'Somvati Amavasya' is considered a highly auspicious day and people take a holy dip in sacred rivers like Ganga and some other rivers. It is said that whoever takes a bath in the sacred rivers on the day would be prosperous, free of diseases, grief and sorrow. There is also a popular belief that the soul of ancestors will rest in peace if children and relatives take a holy dip in the sacred rivers.
The significance of 'Somvati Amavasya' was narrated to Yudhishthira by Bhishma in the Mahabharata. It holds great significance for Hindus, as many rituals are performed only on this day. It is believed that worshipping the revered 'Peepal Tree' on the day of 'Amavasya' is fruitful for the people who are facing any sort of personal or professional problems. The 'Peepal Tree' is considered sacred as per Hindu mythology and traditions. Performing the circumambulation (Parikrama) of this sacred tree 108 times; offering milk, sandal paste, flowers, vermillion; and chanting the right 'Mantras' is believed to appease the trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. It was made me to understand that worshiping a 'Peepal' tree is known to provide the following results: attracts health, wealth and prosperity in life, overcomes all types of superficial hindrances, stabilizes thoughts and actions, enables logical thinking, minimizes 'Shani Shaya' impacts, minimizes 'Navgrah Badha' and minimizes 'Mangal Dosha' effects. We need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion. This isn't a matter of political correctness. It's a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith - Barack Obama.
Concluding I am not a preacher, but according to Hindu religion, it is said that whenever we go to any holy place with open heart, that is direct call from the almighty God and Haridwar itself stands for 'Dwara of Hari; (Gateway to God). In a wider context, pilgrimages serve me as a reminder of my highest purpose upon earth. |
