Sacred Animal Festivals: Jaanwaro Se Judi Pavitrata Ki Kahani
Kabhi socha hai, hazaaron saal pehle jab Diwali ki roshni nahi thi, jab Holi ke rangon ne duniya ko nahi chhua tha, tab insaan aur jaanwar ka rishta kaisa tha? Kya us waqt bhi hum unhe puja karte the? Waqt ki dhool mein dabi hui, kuch aisi hi kahaniyan aaj hum kholenge – Sacred Animal Festivals ki.
Kya Hain Sacred Animal Festivals? Historical Backdrop
Sacred Animal Festivals basically woh utsav hain jahaan jaanwaron ko devta ki tarah sammaan diya jaata hai. Ye koi aaj kal ki baat nahi hai. Inki jadain hamare itihaas mein bahut geheri hain. Archaeological evidence se pata chalta hai ki Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) mein bhi pashuon ki puja ki jaati thi. Seal par dikhai dene wale bail (bull) is baat ka pramaan hain.
Phir Vedic kaal aaya, jismein Agni (fire), Indra (rain) jaise devtaon ke saath-saath gaay (cow) ko bhi pavitra mana gaya. Atharvaveda mein gaay ko “Aditi” kaha gaya hai, jiska matlab hai jo toot nahi sakti, jise maara nahi jaa sakta.
Why are these important?
Sacred Animal Festivals hamari sanskriti ka ek aham hissa hain. Yeh humein batate hain ki hum kitne connected the prakriti se, jaanwaron se. Ye festival sirf puja paath nahi hain, ye humein yaad dilate hain ki hum sab ek hi ecosystem ka hissa hain aur humein har jeev ka samman karna chahiye.
Zameeni Sach: Log Aur Jeevan
Sochiye, ek chota sa gaon hai. Mausam khushnuma hai. Suraj ki pehli kiran gaon ke mandir par padti hai. Aaj Pongaal hai, aur gaon ke log apne bailon ko sajane mein lage hue hain.
“Ae, Raju, zara chandan ka tika lagao toh,” ek kisan apne bete se kehta hai. “Aaj hamare bail raja hain. Unhone hi toh hamari zameen ko jota hai aur humein annaaj diya hai.“
Dooja kisan apni gaay ko saaf kar raha hai. “Ma Rukmini ne aaj naye kapde pehne, kyunki mandir mein utsav tha. Unki kripa se hi humare ghar mein doodh aur daal hai.“
Imagine these vibrant scenes, the laughter, the music, the shared respect for the animals. These festivals were not just about worship, they were about celebrating the interconnectedness of life.
Dharohar Aur Pehchaan: Aaj Ke Bharat Mein
Aaj bhi, aapko Sacred Animal Festivals har state mein mil jaayenge. Nag Panchami mein saanpon ki puja hoti hai. Gau Puja Diwali ka ek important hissa hai. Pongaal mein bailon ka sammaan kiya jaata hai.
Yeh festivals hamein Bharatiyata ka ehsaas dilate hain. Hum kitne diverse hain, phir bhi ek hi dhage se bandhe hue hain – prakriti ka sammaan, jeevan ka sammaan. Aaj jab climate change ki baat hoti hai, tab in festivals ka significance aur badh jaata hai. Ye hamein yaad dilate hain ki humein prakriti ke saath harmony mein jeena hai.
Fun Fact or Myth-Buster
Log samajhte hain ki gaay ki puja sirf hinduon mein hoti hai, lekin asli sach yeh hai ki ancient Egypt mein bhi gaay ko “Hathor” naam ki devi mana jaata tha. Unki bhi puja hoti thi aur unhe mother figure ke roop mein dekha jaata tha. Interesting, hai na?
Drishya Aur Bhavnaein
Imagine yourself standing at a festival. The air smells of incense and fresh flowers. The temple walls are cool to the touch, engraved with ancient stories. The sounds of drums and chanting echo in the streets. You can feel the energy, the devotion, the joy in the air. This is more than just a festival; it’s an experience that connects you to your roots.
Antim Vichar Ya Uddharan
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The world is one family. This ancient Vedic philosophy reminds us that all living beings are interconnected. Sacred Animal Festivals are a beautiful expression of this philosophy. Let us celebrate them with respect, understanding, and a commitment to protecting the natural world.
“Sarve bhavantu sukೀನः, sarve santu niramayah, sarve bhadrani pashyantu, ma kashchid dukha bhag bhavet” – May all be prosperous and happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer.