Ganga Aarti in Canada
Ganga Aarti is one of the most sacred religious traditions in India and seldom causes controversy among Indians. Yet, when some members of the Indian community in Canada conducted a Ganga Aarti on Credit River banks, social media users didn't have uniform opinions.
Posting pictures of the ceremony on social media, the Consulate General of India in Toronto termed it a 'soulful evening', with photos depicting devotees clad in traditional attire taking part in the ritual.
The ceremony was held at Erindale Park in Mississauga, where the riverbank was adorned handsomely and priests conducted the aarti meant to pay respect to the Ganga, albeit the Credit River was the actual subject of devotion.
As the images and videos went viral, reactions poured in. Some praised the ceremony, highlighting that aarti is rooted more in devotion than in geographical location. Others, however, dismissed the entire act as mere 'drama' and questioned the purpose of conducting a ‘Ganga Aarti’ far from the actual Ganges.
The Consulate's post said, "Consul Sanjeev Saklani had the honor to represent the Consulate at the Ganga Aarti, an evening of soulful divine chants and sacred mantras at the Credit River banks of Erindale Park, Mississauga organized by Team @RadioDhishum."
The video, uploaded on X (formerly Twitter) by the 'IndiainToronto' handle, received more than 1,000 reactions within days.
Take a look:
Most netizens were doubtful about it. One user commented, "This is a bit too much, where is ganga and where is Canada ? We should religious but also think about where you are, respect their country and land, doing all these things there just proves how delicate and religion reliant we Indians are."
Another remarked, "A person who recalls the name of Gangaji even from a distance of hundred yojanas gets rid of all his sins and goes to Vishnulok." Meanwhile, another person insisted, "Are you finished? Stop this nonsensical stuff right away. Credit is not Ganga."
Criticism also extended to larger issues. "Hypocrisy: Hindus can't practice their rituals anywhere else in the world except India. But western religion has a free run in India to freely do anything," one person noted, while another said, "Hypocrisy. Desert motherland and claim concern from far far away. Dramabaazi."
