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Members: Meaghan Hibbs & Marissa Lott
An Introduction
An Introduction
Overview & Origins
As one of the largest countries in the world, it likely comes as no surprise that India is the homeland of numerous religions ranging from Buddhism, which flourished for over 1,500 years from around the 6th century BCE to the 11th century, to Jainism, which originated around the same time [as Buddhism] to the Sikh tradition in the 16th century, and ultimately to the rise of the British Empire, and thereby Protestant Christianity and the mission movement, in the late 17th-century. All of which have intersected with the Hindu tradition, which is considered not only the oldest religion in South Asia but in the world.
The Hindu Tradition originated in civilizations along the Indus/Sindhu River Valley, near modern-day Pakistan, from around 2500-1500 BCE, following the migration of Aryan peoples from central Asia into Northwest India, who ultimately settled along the Ganges River.
"A Context for Diversity"
“Difference is not a threat to oneness, but rather, is constitutive of oneness.”
Despite this receptiveness to diversity, Hindu Nationalism, a political ideology that has sought to more narrowly define Hinduism and exclude outsiders - most notably Muslims - has simultaneously been on the rise throughout the past century and, more specifically, since the partition of India in 1947. While there is undoubtedly great diversity and plurality within the Hindu tradition(s), the religion certainly carries specific and often highly individualized meanings for its many followers.
“The Hindu “solution” to diversity, however, has never been that of the melting pot. It is, rather, that of the kaleidoscope in which the distinct pieces continually fall into patterned wholes, over and over, with each twist of the wrist. Diversity is preserved and valued in a flexible and dynamic pattern of interrelation."
Beliefs & Values
Beliefs & Values
Hinduism contains a multiplicity and plurality of gods. There are several varying Gods that have individual jurisdictions for prayer and purpose, while there is one God over all that is collectively made up of the other deities and is considered the one true divinity. It is an important fundamental of Hinduism to recognize the manyness with the oneness of their gods. The gods that may appear in temples or an individual's practice can vary. Some include the God, Shiva, or Goddess, Vishnu; Ganesha, the elephant-headed god; Murugan, also known as Skanda or Karttikeya; Lord Rama, with his wife Sita at his side; River Ganges, personified and bearing a brimming pot of sacred waters; or Lord Krishna, playing the flute and attracting all who hear with its amorous melody; and Brahman is the overall divinity. These are some examples of the many gods that may be worshipped in the Hindu faith.
Hindu faith is based around reincarnation to rid your soul of karma so that you can reach moksha, or liberation. Karma is the accumulation of actions across lifetimes that mark or dirty your soul. To clean your spirit and build good standing, Hindus follow a set of foundational guidelines for life to be good and giving people. Some of these ways of life are Vedanta: or the way of wisdom, Bhakti: or the way of devotion, and Dharma: or ritual action and social order.
Rituals & Practices
Rituals & Practices
Individual Worship:
The Hindu faith allows for a lot of personalized worship. The multiplicity of gods creates options for prayer according to preference and purpose. The individual may choose to practice meditation and self-reflection as a part of their self-awareness and their devotion to the faith. Home altars are one of the most common and important worship practices that a Hindu may uphold individually. Rituals from home include studying and singing bhajans or offering pujas, flowers or gifts for the deities.
Communal worship:
Temples are the meeting place for worship and fellowship in Hinduism. Those who seek guidance from a priest or community with a congregation may choose to attend the temple for worship, blessing, holidays, or other rituals. Like the home altar, temples are adorned with symbols and ornate decorations that glorify the Hindu Gods. Temples are consecrated in a ceremony of sprinkling (abhishekam) the temple with sacred waters (kumbha) called Kumbhabhishekam. Fellowship and blessings are provided in the common space, with multiple rituals, blessings, and worship opportunities provided throughout the week.
Festivals & Ceremonies:
Weddings are a very elaborate and valued tradition in Hinduism. During a Rama Navami Celebration, Rama's birth is celebrated and his wedding to Sita is reenacted. This includes arrangements, a wedding necklace (mangala sutra), and various sayings and recitations.
The Great Night of Shiva is a night to commemorate the linga of light that was revealed, according to legend. The traditions include offering milk, honey, or tumeric, over the stone shaft that represents Shiva. People sing songs of worship and praise to Shiva and offer dance (Nrityanjal) throughout the day and late into the night.
The Krishna Chariot Festival is a summer parade that large and vibrant chariots bearing images of Lord Krishna, his sister Subhadra, and his brother Balaram.
GSET
GSET
Sanatan Mandir of Chattanooga
Join us for the annual Maha Shivaratri festival ("Great Night of Shiva"), held on Feb. 28th, 2022.
The festival commenced in the early afternoon hours and continued through midnight into the early hours of the morning. This video features footage from the later hours of the festival leading up to midnight - the birth of Shiva.
Meaghan Hibbs (pictured left) and Marissa Lott (pictured right) were welcomed to participate in the recognition of Shiva at the end of the celebration.
Following the establishment of the Non-profit Organization Gujarati Samaj of East TN, in 1983, the Sanatan Mandir Temple was established in 1996 and officially opened to the Chattanooga community in 1997, making it an active temple for nearly 26 years.
This interview was conducted on March 23rd at the Sanatan Mandir Temple of Chattanooga alongside Dr. Padma Geddam, a Psychiatrist and devoted member of the GSET community, and Priest Shastriji Sunil Nantiyal. Our discussion touches on the initial & ongoing challenges of combating the COVID-19 Pandemic, common misconceptions about Hinduism, the value of diversity & open-mindedness in religious contexts/spaces and in life, and much more. Enjoy!
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