When the gods will go green? A week back, Durga Puja celebrations were in full flow. All there was beating of drums, music, lightning, colourful pandals and parikramas. And in another couple of weeks, the king of all festivals ‘Diwali’ will be knocking your door. The country has a gamut of festivals to celebrate and every festival turns out to be a grand occasion to splurge. But unfortunately, many of these festivals are posing a serious threat to environment. The onset of making these idols from non-biodegradable materials has contributed significantly towards this threat and has not only choked the rivers but also put aquatic life at danger. Besides, piles of holy trivia comprising idols of God/Goddesses, tones of rotting flowers, polythene …show more content…
However, the growing economic cost of such practices lead to the tradition of immersion and keeping in mind that these idols dissolve into water the idols of clay came into existence. In fact, these clay idols were not even baked to facilitate the process of mixing with water. But with the arrival of cheap plastic alternatives including the plaster of paris and chemical paints, the age-old practice of eco-friendly clay and straw has taken a backseat. Add to this, the decoration on the idols has also turned jazzier with our Gods/Goddess being decorated with non-biodegradable and toxic materials like zari, plastic, mercury, led …show more content…
In spite of knowing that safe drinking water is a problem across all the developing nations, people of India have been polluting these precious treasures at an alarming rate. According to a study, every year close to 1.5 lacs of idols of lord Ganesha are immersed in the sea-shore of Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi and nearly 50,000 idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in the river Ganga in West Bengal. However, the examination of water before and after immersion shows that the concentration of toxic substances like calcium, magnesium along with metals like lead and mercury (which particularly affect neurological development) increases considerably. According to a survey by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board and the Indian Toxicology Research Institute, each gram of colour used for painting consists of a high quantity of lead – ranging from 6-10 micrograms. To top it up, the Plaster of Paris (which contains calcium sulphate hemihydrates and is created by heating Gypsum to around 150 degree C) does not get dissolved fast (gets transformed into Gypsum on contact with water and accumulate at the bottom) thereby, reducing the level of oxygen in the water. The garlands and plastic materials thrown into the river also choke the aquatic life. Various researches suggest that the pH level of water also increases tremendously after immersion. This is
sculpture of Dionysos, it tells us about a little bit of culture. The unclothed Dionysos indicate a common
Festivals were meant to take the minds of the people off their everyday life , off the hard times and their work. Everyday life in Early Modern Europe was filled with rituals, both religious and secular. Songs and stories played an important role in their lives, although they sometimes adjusted the details of the legends and stories to fit the way they thought a certain festival should take place.
In all societies, the practices associated with religion, burial and death have given archaeology and history detailed information concerning the nature of a society. It is through the study of symbology in particular that we are able to discern the significance of the Minoan religion as it represents various aspects of their religious beliefs and display the impact it has on their everyday lives. Key symbols like the birds, bulls, horns of consecration and double axe can be seen throughout the island of Crete as well as on votive offerings given to their gods from their worshippers.
...e tradition. Hopefully, the younger generations will continue to celebrate the sacred celebration to maintain their heritage in the future.
There has been evidence of over two hundred human sacrifices in just one general area of Mesoamerica. Not just in an area of a city – but a “building”. Many pyramids, temples, and art forms such as sculptures were made and used just for the purpose of sacrifices and blood-letting rituals. Such violent rituals are shown in art and architecture to show the effect of symbols on the humans of Ancient Mesoamerica. The question that will be uncovered is, how far did the Mesoamericans go? To what extend do symbols effect Mesoamerican art and architecture? These effects could of course lead to the stronger subjects, specifically human sacrifices. The extent of symbols on the architecture and art therefore is reflected as the extent it had on ancient Mesoamericans. It will first be evaluated how Architecture is made to reflect their beliefs on the lives of their gods. Second, how architecture and art can depict symbols will be revealed, and lastly it will be discussed how architecture and art shows the effect of symbols on ancient human lives and interactions. Finding these things will answer the research question by revealing how much effort believers would make to please their symbols, how Mesoamericans believe their gods to be, and how far they would go with tradition or rituals.
It was quite an experience to dive into the cultures of ancient southern and central american societies such as the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations. As i traveled through this large exhibit I couldn't help but notice how seriously these civilizations took craftsmanship. I believe it was fully because many of these small items that were featured on display such as ceremonial, stools, masks, vases etc...were extremely detailed and well made. Not to mention that the majority of the sacred/ritual objects were forged of gold and jade; two extremely vital elements to the function of their societies. They believed elements such as these were the waste of the gods but, to them they were perceived as gifts due to their rarity and visual aesthetics. Gold was specifically exclaimed to be from the sun god named Kinich
One purpose for festivals could be they were used as a way for people to relax and forget about the troubles and worries of their daily lives. “It was truly lovely for citizens who had convened at the public buildings to look on their very selves …” (Doc 1). In this document, the sons of the leaders dressed as their fathers and imitated them for the enjoyment of their community. Document 2 states, “Around the bonfire people danced, sang and leapt with great pleasure, and did not spare the bagpipes.” The people of Estonia are ecstatic about the festival and could not hold it in. From
...as a very important day. Diwali; the word itself meaning “row of lights,” is another prominent Hindu holiday and occurs on what we know as New Year Eve—December 31st. It is a festival lights in which last for a five days. The lighting of candles signifies the welcoming of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Gambling is a norm on Diwali as it is seen as a way of assuring good luck for the upcoming year. The fourth day of Diwali is especially significant as it is the beginning of the lunar month of Karttika. On this particular day many celebrate religious customs to signify the New Year according to the Vikrama calendar (“Religion Facts,”n.p).
...eing more than beautiful objects for display, but rather the real meaning of these objects on a bigger scale, or in its entire contents, that keeps the cosmos the same, is a hard point to clearly. Sam Gill does a great job explaining these points through using examples such as the Navajo Sand paintings and the Seneca False Mask (and many others). These objects created by the Nonliterate societies are in fact beautiful, but the reason behind its creation and the process of its creation is also beautiful. The entire contents in which these objects are found is beautiful and it is amazing how the sand paintings and the masks help to keep the cosmic order. Therefore, these rituals that produce objects of beauty makes the Native American's reality and when we understand this, then we can begin to understand the art, or the left-over pieces from rituals, in their entirety.
There are two holy days in the Hindu religion named Diwali and Holi. Diwali is a festival of lights, and is India’s biggest and most important festival of the year. It is mainly celebrated in the months of October and November. This festival is a great time for family to get together and be together. Holi is another festival that family gets together. Holi is a festival of colors. Holi is a holiday where they get together and dance, play, and bring joy onto their home. Depending on the region, some cover their body is many different colors to celebrate the day.
In India there are many religious rituals. Some are the same as in the United States of America. They have Muslim and Christian rituals. Some of these rituals the Muslim and Christians of the United States of America participate in. Religious rituals make a huge impact on India’s culture. India’s culture would not be the same without these religious rituals. (“Indian Culture”)
Before I really get into my personal experience at the Durga temple, I would like to begin my experience paper by throwing a light on my religion. I personally belong to a Muslim family and have practiced Islam throughout my life. Islam is one of the monotheistic religions, which means people only believe in one God usually referred as Allah. All the individuals, including me, believe that everything in this world has been created by all mighty Allah. He has the power and authority of diminishing and raising thing. Islam is based on its five pillars; Namaz (prayer), Roza (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage), Zakat (Give away), and Jahad (struggle in way of Islam). In contrast Hinduism has many different deities and all of them have a specific purpose. For example Shiva is widely known as the destroyer while the Vishnu presides over the maintenance of the living being. The reason I decided to go to the Hindu religious practice is because I have heard many different stories about the conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Furthermore, I also wanted to see the temples because I have never seen one, I have been to a lot of churches, mosques, and synagogue, but never got the change to visit a temple. Both Islam and Hinduism are the most popular religions in the world and they have millions of followers. However, there is a day and night difference between both of them.
We live in a world full of different religions and all of them have, for the most part, a lot of similarities between them. Some of said similarities include beliefs or practices, art, statuary and architecture or buildings such as temples or churches. They serve as reminders of teachings or beliefs and also a place to gather and worship. The architecture or structures are so revered by the people who build them that they themselves become intricate works of art. Another form in use is statues. Most religions use some form of statuary as shrines to visit or pray to, also as a representation of the image portrayed by their chosen religion. A religion with a strong representation of this practice is Buddhism. Today, Buddhism is recognized as one of the world’s major religions.
Despite the long standing tradition of consuming dog meat to deflect the heat of the summer in Southern China, the Yulin Dog Meat festival only began in 2009 where 10000 dogs are slaughtered for this barbarous festival. This brutal event has been condemned by people across the globe. This essay will discuss this issue through the various theoretical perspectives and explain how Ethnocentrism is demonstrated.
Oroian, Viman Oana I. "Damaging Effects of Overall Water Pollution." BioFlux (2010): 113-15. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.