Before I go into the issue, let's go back to 1798, Madurantakam, a small town near Chingalpet, Madras. The people of Madurantakam sought the help of the then British Collector at Chengalpet Lionel Blaze to protect the temple from the floods. That night the British Collector had a divine vision, which he believed prevented the lake from breaching.
The collectors vision of divine brought about new faith in him and he allocated 1000 pagodas to get a portion of the temple constructed. This incident is etched in the history of the temple and confirms that the Hinduism is open to believers and patrons.
Let's come to October 2014. My friend Richard who has recently moved to Chennai visited Kapalieshwar temple with his family. Richard is eager to learn about Hinduism and understand more about one of the oldest religions in the world. But outside the sanctum reads a board "Only Hindus allowed". Not sure if Richard asked why, but I kept thinking about it.
It happened to Nandanar, a Dalit saint believed to have born between 7-9th century. He was not let inside the temple; his faith and devotion outpoured as hymns that moved the bull in front of the Lord Shiva.12 Centuries later this discrimination still exists in Hinduism and specially temples in South India. Why does Hinduism continue to be exclusive to a few and keep those eager to learn and understand the religion outside the gate?
Leave alone Hindus and non-Hindus, many temples in Karnataka still have separate dining halls for Brahmins and Non-Brahmins and some villages in Tamil Nadu follow two-tumbler system. Adi Shankara himself upgraded rituals and practices to prevent people from fleeing Hinduism to Jainism and Buddhism that was born because of scarificial worship and other in-human worship practices.
While pockets of inclusivity does exist in some temples, but not everywhere. You may all know Lungi dance (Shah Rukh Khan in the movie Chennai Express), but not about lungi seva at Sri Rangam temple. One day in a year the Muslim community visit the temple to present a lungi to the deity that he adorns and parades the streets. This symbolises Hindu Muslim unity, respect and brotherhood. Even at Tirupathi temple there is a statue for the Wife of Delhi Nawab, who was an ardent devotee of the deity and is revered and worshipped as "Thulukka Nacchiyaar" (Muslim Lady).
Let me bust a few reasons that are offered by learned Hindu scholars who deny admission of foreigners (non Hindus) in the sanctum in many of Hindu temples.
- Because non Hindus (also read as foreigners) consume meat and liquor - Many of my Hindu friends consume meat and engage in other vices liquor inclusive.
- Because non Hindu women (also read as foreigners) don't observe strict rules during their menstrual cycles - Some of my own cousins don't practice these strict rules anymore.
- Because non Hindus don't observe the same rituals as Hindus and as a result are considered impure - I know many of my Brahmins friends who've stopped wearing their sacred threads and have stopped performing their monthly and annual rituals for their deceased parents and ancestors.
All religions that are currently in existence in India was either an offshoot of Hinduisum (Buddhism or Jainism) or came from outside of India and successfully found defectors. Trade relationships and conquering of East Asian countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Burma, Thailand,etc.) by Chola kings led to the spread of Hinduism and customize their own version of Ramayana. One can find proofs of this in the world's largest non-functional temple at Ankorwat. Hinduism was open to new comers and its scripture was also open to interpretation and adaptation (like Open source). But what happened in the last few centuries?
Richard and family live a Hindu lifestyle: strict vegetarians, don't consume alcohol, follow Ayurveda and observe many of our disciplined practices yet continue to worship from outside the sanctum without any complain. Can't the divinity that accepts lungi in Sri Rangam and devotion of Nawab's wife in Tirupathi, accept and accede to other seekers waiting outside?
Lastly, I leave you with the same old question, who is a Hindu and why are they given a special birth right despite not following the stipulated practices and rituals, while those interested to follow aren't given access and acceptance?
In my point of view, faith is universal and religion should be open to all those willing to follow its practices. Remember, a religion ceases to exist without followers. If you are a Hindu reading this blog, ask how many of the 63 Saints in Shaivism and 12 Saints in Vaishnavism were Hindus and what they had to go through to get accepted and later worshipped in the religion.
Every religion has blind spots and blind followers. It is time to upgrade the religion to retain those feeling stifled, vacate those needing fresh air, and welcome those feeling attracted. Let's get started by shooing away the bulls!
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