JANUARY 1 - concept of New Year!

[Sarma sasthrigal]

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JANUARY 1 - concept of New Year!`
Here is a Q&A <please do not use the forum to "aggressively" promote your book. One or two posts are fine, but having the book being advertised in every single topic is not good. All your future posts, if they are advertising the book, will be edited or deleted. - praveen>

Qn: I understand that yo do not endorse celebrating the January 1 as New year by us, the Hindus. Is it so? Can you please explain?

Ans: As is the practice in he western world, we Hindus too celebrate "January 1" as New Year's Day and get excited at the very mention of January 1. Over the last decade this enthusiasm has taken on frenzied proportions. We have come across nowadays many of us celebrate at home this day as it is part of our culture. Sentimentally and emotionally getting attached too !

But let us pause and think - does it have any religious significance for a Hindu?

WHY RELIGIOUS FERVOUR?
Why do we then add religious fervour to the celebration, by even keeping temples open till midnight and beyond, and carry out rituals including abhisheka/thirumanjana etc ? The performance of our holy rites at inopportune timings is against all Agama Sastras. Christians go to heir churches and pray at ht hour because they are told to do so by their religion - shouldn't we likewise do what our religion ordains us to do and not do ?

Let us appreciate the fact that 'nadu-nisi' aradhana (worship at midnight) is against our dharma. Our day starts with Brahma-muhurtham ie., earlu hours around 4am. According to Hindu samskara and panchanga, except for a very few days in a year like Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sivaatri, etc., midnight worship in the temple is prohibited. We don't perform pujas or conduct any Vedic rituals before Brahma muhurtam. Let us be very clear about it.

WE CAN WISH OTHERS on JAN 1:
We will of course conform to the 'laukika' tradition of viewing "January 1" as the first day of the new year and wish people if yo have compulsions and so on; but let us stop with that and not give it a religious slant. It is unwholesome and unpardonable.

 

[renuka]

Dear Sir,

Most of us do not really take January 1st seriously at all.

For me it just another day..but going by that..neither do I take the Hindu New Year seriously too cos it is also just another day.

We are getting closer to the grave with each Sunrise and Sunset and that is the most important point I feel we need to remember so that we utilize each moment more efficiently to contemplate on God.

 

[tbs]

Dear Sir,

Most of us do not really take January 1st seriously at all.

For me it just another day..but going by that..neither do I take the Hindu New Year seriously too cos it is also just another day.

We are getting closer to the grave with each Sunrise and Sunset and that is the most important point I feel we need to remember so that we utilize each moment more efficiently to contemplate on God.

hi
yesterday is history.....tomorrow is mystery....TODAY IS GIFT FROM GOD.....

 

[ozone]

I think I agree here. There is no problem in celebrating 01-Jan, although it has no real significance - neither economically nor spiritually, but could be celebrated without adding a religious fervour.

 

[prasad1]

Every day is a religious day, even January 1.
If I want to celebrate my birthday every month, what is wrong, why should it bother others.
We are judgmental, and want to preach to others as how they should lead their life. As PIO we never heard of the concept of Individual Privacy. We have to poke our nose in everyone else's business.
We live in a society, and we have to follow certain specific norms of the society. January 1 -December 31 is the financial year in majority of the world, we are part of this world. We can join in the celebration or sit at home.
To an extent we as TB love to shower on others party. Even in India, when the people in North India celebrate with gaiety even small achievements, we in the TB community are serious (ofcourse we carry the entire world on our shoulder).
We also celebrate Tamil new year, Telegu new year, Gujarati new year as well.

 

[sankara_sharmah]

Temples are for the benefit of the Bhakthas. It has become very common to see a huge crowd in most of the temples on New Year day. English New Year has become the real New Year for most of the people. These people would like to start the New Year with the dharshan of GOD. So temples are being kept open to enable Bhakthas to have Dharshan.

What is wrong with it? Hinduism has grown only by adapting itself to changing times. If it had not done so, it would not have survived.

The only objection seems to be an injunction against Nishi Puja (Puja at mid night). Nishi Puja is considered auspicious and very special by Tantriks. Many communities in India conduct their marriage in the night.

New Year was adapted by the Christians from the pre-Christian Roman religion.

In 46 B.C.E. the Roman emperor Julius Caesar first established January 1 as New Year’s day.

The History | Origin of New Years Day / December 31rst / Ball Dropping In Times Square

In fact even Christmas

The date of December 25th comes from Rome and was a celebration of the Italic god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god.
This was done long before the birth of Jesus.
It was noted by the pre-Christian Romans and other pagans, that daylight began to increase after December 22nd, when they assumed that the sun god died.

New year and Christmas are based on the religion which existed before Christianity. Christians adapted it.

I do not see any harm in Hindus adapting New Year. Religions exist for people. People do not exist for religions.

 

[Raji Ram]

...TODAY IS GIFT FROM GOD.....

That is why it is called 'present'!

 

[P.J.]

Sarma sasthrigalji

The temple worship, per se, is guided by its related Agama, and Temple worship on midnight is allowed on special occasions like Shiva Rathiri.

The term Agama primarily means tradition; as the time changes, there is nothing wrong in following new tradition, like worshipping Temple Deity at midnight;
A temple in Hindu tradition is a public place of worship.

The worship in a temple has to satisfy the needs of individuals as also of the community. Nowadays the whole Hindu community wishes to worship at Temple at the stroke of midnight on 31 December; and like other Hindu Traditions changed over a period of time (like Vedic marriages) this change will also become a Tradition in course of time.

Sri Krishna promises: “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisance to Me, and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (9.34)

There is no prescribed ‘Fixed Time Limit; fixed for worshipping God anywhere at any time.

So it is not UNWHOLESOME AND UNPARDONABLE.

 

[prasad1]

JANUARY 1 - concept of New Year!`
Here is a Q&A taken from my book THE GREAT HINDU TRADITION' from the FAQs section-:

Qn: I understand that yo do not endorse celebrating the January 1 as New year by us, the Hindus. Is it so? Can you please explain?

Ans: As is the practice in he western world, we Hindus too celebrate "January 1" as New Year's Day and get excited at the very mention of January 1. Over the last decade this enthusiasm has taken on frenzied proportions. We have come across nowadays many of us celebrate at home this day as it is part of our culture. Sentimentally and emotionally getting attached too !

But let us pause and think - does it have any religious significance for a Hindu?

WHY RELIGIOUS FERVOUR?
Why do we then add religious fervour to the celebration, by even keeping temples open till midnight and beyond, and carry out rituals including abhisheka/thirumanjana etc ? The performance of our holy rites at inopportune timings is against all Agama Sastras. Christians go to heir churches and pray at ht hour because they are told to do so by their religion - shouldn't we likewise do what our religion ordains us to do and not do ?

Let us appreciate the fact that 'nadu-nisi' aradhana (worship at midnight) is against our dharma. Our day starts with Brahma-muhurtham ie., earlu hours around 4am. According to Hindu samskara and panchanga, except for a very few days in a year like Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sivaatri, etc., midnight worship in the temple is prohibited. We don't perform pujas or conduct any Vedic rituals before Brahma muhurtam. Let us be very clear about it.

WE CAN WISH OTHERS on JAN 1:
We will of course conform to the 'laukika' tradition of viewing "January 1" as the first day of the new year and wish people if yo have compulsions and so on; but let us stop with that and not give it a religious slant. It is unwholesome and unpardonable.

Sir,
I have a problem with your post. You are trying to sell your books, without paying anything to the owner of the site Mr. Praveen. If I were you, I would take his permission and post only in the designated section "ads and offers".

 

[amala]

If every day is just another day what does one look forward to in life? at least family members/kids birthdays hopefully?!..or maybe not? I admit i do look forward to Diwalis, Navratris, Jan 1 every year, Sankranti and Xmas and not so much regional new years (im more eagerly awaiting the rasipalan only to be honest). It makes mundane living less mundane. I've had ver pleasant childhood memories of festive occassions so i gues that helps plus being interested in culture to a reasonable extent.

 

[Raghy]

Sri. Sankara Sharma, Greetings.

.... Religions exist for people. People do not exist for religions.

:hail:

 

[venkat2206]

Dear All,

Visiting temples certainly give peace of mind. On auspicious occasions people make it a point to visit temples. Most of the offices are closed on 1st Jan and hence people visit temples on 1st Jan. I do not find anything wrong in this. Generally, people believe that visiting temples on the first day of the year may give them happiness for the entire year. For the last 30 years (since my arrival to Mumbai) I made it as a practice to visit a Ganapthi temple at a nearby place Titvala. It certainly gives me happiness on the first day. We do celeberate Tamil New Year also. There is no point in criticizing everything.

Venkat K

 

[venkat2206]

Sir,
I have a problem with your post. You are trying to sell your books, without paying anything to the owner of the site Mr. Praveen. If I were you, I would take his permission and post only in the designated section "ads and offers".

Shri Prasad,

Well said and I am totally in agreement with what you have stated - forum should not be used for selling their books - good that no body responded seriously to that post.

Venkat K

 

[praveen]

Posting this as a reply so that it gets seen.

Sarma sasthrigalji


please do not use the forum to "aggressively" promote your book. One or two posts are fine, but having the book being advertised in every single topic is not good. All your future posts, if they are advertising the book, will be edited or deleted.

 

[venkat2206]

Posting this as a reply so that it gets seen.

Sarma sasthrigalji


please do not use the forum to "aggressively" promote your book. One or two posts are fine, but having the book being advertised in every single topic is not good. All your future posts, if they are advertising the book, will be edited or deleted.

Shri Praveen,

Thanks for the understadning of member's feeling and for a quick response to all the members.

Venkat K

 

[renuka]

From a technical point of view..Praveen Ji might have a point about promoting one's own book but from a religious point of view I feel a bit sorry for Sarma Shastrigal cos I feel he has intention to spread his knowledge for the benefit of Hindus.

Even though I sometimes do not agree with what he writes..in fact I was the 1st to write in this thread that I do not take both Jan 1st or Hindu New Year seriously cos every day is just another day but still I like reading what he writes cos he has vast knowledge in rituals.

I have in the past asked him for lots of clarifications non stop whenever he brings up a point but I sure do wish he does not get disheartened and feel we members do not appreciate his effort and good wishes.

So I am writing this just out of good will and not to act like a saint but just to make sure Sarma Ji continues his good work in Q and A form within the guidelines suggested by Praveen Ji.

 

[Raji Ram]

Dear Renu,

You say:

I do not take both Jan 1st or Hindu New Year seriously cos every day is just another day.

But, I would like to take a few days in each year as special days! The birthdays of our dear ones, our wedding day, the English and

Tamil new years, Pongal, DeepAvaLi, KArthigai and other festival days are special to me. Every day, I like to wear good sarees at

home ( I don't like the 'chungidi' cotton that many mAmis wear in Sing. Chennai!) and release new sarees / ised grand sarees on

these days. It gives lot of happiness! :dance: - A point for the other thread about 'Happiness'.

 

[renuka]

Dear Renu,

You say:

But, I would like to take a few days in each year as special days! The birthdays of our dear ones, our wedding day, the English and

Tamil new years, Pongal, DeepAvaLi, KArthigai and other festival days are special to me. Every day, I like to wear good sarees at

home ( I don't like the 'chungidi' cotton that many mAmis wear in Sing. Chennai!) and release new sarees / ised grand sarees on

these days. It gives lot of happiness! :dance: - A point for the other thread about 'Happiness'.

Dear RR ji,

So far I do not really look forward to any celebrations in the real sense of it.

In fact I have never even celebrated Diwali in my own home after marriage.

Diwali is just a day where I visit inlaws and parents and come back to my home or most years I spend it in some beach resort..a chance to get away.

I do not like attending weddings too..cos too much noise and too much movement of people and sometimes one has to fake a smile all the while cos we keep meeting people non stop at wedding and it gets boring to keep answering questions from people whom we haven't met in a long time.

These are the standard questions:

1)OMG! Haven't see your child so long..OMG he is big boy now etc.

I will be wondering in my mind "Children grow up and adults grow old too"

See if you meet 10 people and they ask you the same question after a while anyone will get kind of pissed off to keep answering non stop.

2)At the eating table...questions to be answered:

OMG why are you eating so little?

That's why I do not like weddings..for a person with a short attention span like me I get bored very fast of anything.

Pongal I have never celebrated in my life.

Our family so far never had the tradition to do it on grand scale..my dad just believes in the Uttarayana concept of Makara Sankranti that's all.

So far only the Birthdays of my son and husband(which is the same date of birth)..so I get to hit 2 mangoes with 1 stone since father and son share same Date of Birth.

That alone I pay some attention otherwise I might be accused of being a real good for nothing!LOL

 

[amala]

mami Im just like you. I love and appreciate a few days in a year as special days. Too much negativity around us if you ask me! To each his/her own. I don't give a damn if other people want to wallow in negativity or whatever. I am going to continue enjoying my special days just like my close associates/real life friends/aquaintances!

 

[prasad1]

mami Im just like you. I love and appreciate a few days in a year as special days. Too much negativity around us if you ask me! To each his/her own. I don't give a damn if other people want to wallow in negativity or whatever. I am going to continue enjoying my special days just like my close associates/real life friends/aquaintances!

Me too.
We are going to a new year eve party for seniors. (no loud music).
Tomorrow my wife has a new year party in my house (You are all welcome).
Happy new year once again.

 

[tbs]

mami Im just like you. I love and appreciate a few days in a year as special days. Too much negativity around us if you ask me! To each his/her own. I don't give a damn if other people want to wallow in negativity or whatever. I am going to continue enjoying my special days just like my close associates/real life friends/aquaintances!

hi
appadiyaa ponne...nee romba samathu....அப்படியா பொன்னே ......நீ ரொம்ப சமத்து ....

from raji mami....lol....sorry raji madam...

 

[Raji Ram]

......... Tomorrow my wife has a new year party in my house (You are all welcome).

:welcome: because you are sure that we will not be able to come? (just kidding)

But, I can visit your IFF I come to the U S of A again!! lane:

 

[Raji Ram]

......... ....அப்படியா பொன்னே ......நீ ரொம்ப சமத்து ....

'பொண்ணே' என்பது 'பொன்னே' என்று ஆன மர்மம் என்னவோ?

ஓஹோ! 'என் தங்கமே!' என்று வர்ணிப்பது வழக்கம்தானே!!

 

[deepaksharma20]

Wishing all my friends in all corner of the world a very happy and joyful New Year..

 

[deepaksharma20]

New Year celebration is a western culture..We just do it to show that we are moving with the world..its just a formality...not a celebration because we follow the universal calender..

A fact about 2013: "2013 is the first year after 1987 which have all different numbers. "