Festivals
Tonight I left my flat expecting to walk to the corner and catch an auto to go to a restaurant. Instead when I got to the main road, I found a small flood of humanity, mostly dressed in variations of peach colored clothing walking down Infantry road. It seemed clear that SOMETHING was going on, but as a newcomer and foreigner I had no idea what it was.
I know that there are various festivals going on but as far as I knew none of them involved dressing up in peach colored clothes. I asked the local handicrafts store guy what was going on and after offering to show me some great deals, and asking me to come in “for a cup of tea” he explained it was some Christian festival.
I find the timing somewhat suspicious. I was raised in a Christian culture and I know of no big Christian feast day around now, but I do know of three or four Hindu festivals going on, but it was just another of those little mysteries. Rather than compete with the dozens of people walking down my street for an auto, we decided just to walk the mile or so to the restaurant.
On the way, we were surrounded by more celebrants, some dressed in peach, some not, all a river of humanity, just walking along at 8pm on a weekday. After six months here, it felt kind of comforting. We were walking along with our neighbors, here in the city. Some of them stopped for the local chaat wallah, others joined us in crossing the street in a safe and comforting group. Some jumped on to the overstuffed bus that barely slowed to let people on and off.
It was yet another fascinating and serendipitous experience for us, something that I’m sure people who live here take for granted, but that we would never see anywhere else.
[Edited to add]
Apparently this festival was a flag raising at the Basilica in Shivajinagar in honor of Mother Mary’s upcoming (Sep 8) birthday.
Would have loved to see a picture of what you are describing.
Charles my man, now you know why kipling said India gets in your blood. and if he didnt say it, he should have. cheers.
Christianity has adopted a lot of hindu rituals to keep the converts happy. There is a lot of idol worship,they sing bhajans in church and wedding ceremonies have elements from hindu customs.
>There is a lot of idol worship
More so in the Catholic tradition, me thinks. And it’s been an integral part of the tradition. I’m not so sure it’s an Indian-ized one.
>they sing bhajans in church
They are called hymns and, as far as I know, have always been a central part of all Christian traditions.
>wedding ceremonies have elements from hindu customs.
That is true. The saree exchange, the mangalsutra exchange etc.
Yesterday it was the ‘kodiyetram day’ (hoisting the festival flag) at the Velankanni Church in Besantnagar, Adyar. you should see the procession which was about two kilometres long – the christians in south india do observe their festivals in an identical way to that of the hindus..
No these are not hymns, but actual bhajans with tablas/cymbals , music and singing. This was at a small building that served as a church in our residential area for mostly the low income converts. Our maid was one and she was very suspicious of the foods we gave her thinking they may be prasad.
Afaik, Christ rejected false idols and discouraged their worship. But am not familiar with their customs anyway.
I think, Charles, you were watching the beginning of St Mary’s Novena; by now, as the other readers said, Christian and Hinud traditions have intermingled a lot!
But it’s a recent phenomenon that identifies a temple with clothing of a specific colour; however, it acts as a unifying force and also identifies devotees of a specific festival to others, so that’s good!
I think, Charles, you were watching the beginning of St Mary’s Novena; by now, as the other readers said, Christian and Hindu traditions have intermingled a lot!
But it’s a recent phenomenon that identifies a temple with clothing of a specific colour; however, it acts as a unifying force and also identifies devotees of a specific festival to others, so that’s good!
there many denominations. there are indian christian traditions like syrian christian that have atleast a 1000 year roots. some even have vidyarambha. catholic & some protestant traditions too are well established and have continued some of indian customs likes thali, saris etc. velankanni, viveknagar infact jesus etc need no intro.
and then there are new age ones too. New age ones are those kali is demon, hindu gods cause chikun gunya type pamphlet peddling kinds. Ofcourse, what happened in NE since the baptists took over is well known.
I remember that now. My office was on Infantry Rd It used to be impossible to get an auto on that day. I haven’t seen anything like that in any other city I’ve been.