Seeking Purity through Condensed Milk

Last Wednesday as local newspapers carried pages of “Eid Mubarak” and “Have a Happy Eid” advertisements for Muslims celebrating the end of Ramadhan, another festival was featured in the Daily Nation with no joyful words. “147 killed in Indian temple stampede” (p.22) reported “Victims trampled as they attempt to climb ramp leading to a shrine on hilltop … as Hindus gathered to begin one of the most important religious festivals of the year … the crowds were especially large … as pilgrims gathered for the start of the nine-day Navratri festival … stampedes are relatively common at temples, where thousands gather to pray during festivals.”
Yes, this happened in India, but a large percentage of those killed had relatives or friends in Kenya and other parts of the world. As Navratri is the first of two major Hindu festivals being held in October, Christians have a special opportunity to learn about these festivals so that we can better understand our Hindu neighbours/acquaintances and be better able to share our faith with them. It also gives us a special opportunity to pray for them as they spend extra time in prayer.

The Festival of Navratri began on September 30th and ends October 8th. “INDIA - A site to explore…” shares that Navratri is a time of “Worshipping of Diverse Goddess – This nine-day festival is celebrated in a unique manner. A different form of the Mother Goddess is worshipped on each different day. On the first three days, the Goddess Durga (Goddess of Valour) is venerated. The next three days are spent in the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and the last three days are a celebration of the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Learning and Arts) … the three goddesses are worshipped as the feminine equivalent of the Hindu Holy Trinity … This festival symbolises health and prosperity … People perform yagna (sacrifice offered in order to procure purification through fire) or havana (symbolic ceremony involving the purifying aspects of fire). During both the ceremonies, ghee (clarified butter), paayas or kheer (rice cooked in condensed milk) and sesame seeds are poured into the holy flames to the chanting of mantras (holy verses). Each cycle of oblation culminates with the priest summoning Swaha, the consort of Agni, or fire. Some believers fast (vrat) throughout the nine days, whilst others settle for a daylong fast. Fasting is considered to be one of the most popular means of self-discipline and spiritual development. On the fifth day, known as Lalitha Panchami, it is customary to gather the books in the house and place them before a sacred lamp in order to seek the Goddess Saraswati's blessings. Artisans also lay their tools at the feet of the Goddess for a more prosperous trade.”

Please join me in praying for those celebrating Navratri this week. Pray that as they pray they will come to know the true God, the source of the pure heart and renewed spirit they desire (Psalm 51:10). Pray that they will claim God’s Words in 1 John 3:1-3 and come to know the true way of finding purity. Bert Yates
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“147 killed in Indian temple stampede” (Daily Nation, 10/01/08) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/world/-/1068/476236/-/ry7ryh/-/index.html

To learn more about those in Kenya whose primary religion is Hinduism, go to the following site and Click Country: Kenya and look under the Primary Religion – http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php

To learn more about Navratri:
Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri/
Rudra Centre – http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/navratri.htm/
India/A site to explore – http://www.indiasite.com/festivals/navratri.html