JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, July 12, 2004: South African children got a glimpse of Hindu rituals and the rationale behind them at a temple here in an event aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding. Children of devotees at the Swaminarayan Temple joined many others, including some invited from homes in Gauteng, to share the diversity and depth of culture in South Africa. “South Africa for years was under the cloak of apartheid, which did not allow for cross-cultural learning and knowledge transfer,” said Ajay Makan, one of the coordinators of the event. “For the last 10 years many South Africans have been surprised by the diverse cultures within our country. One of these is the Hindu culture, which the Swaminarayan Sanstha aspires to practise in its truest form. “Inspired by our guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, we feel it is necessary to raise awareness of Hindu culture.
“The youth group has already embarked on a program of visiting local children’s homes and participating in their religious services. It is only proper that this intercultural exchange is reciprocated and continued,” Makan said, adding that events of this nature also help build character, leadership skills and responsibility amongst the youth. “It also instills a sense of pride – pride in their culture and in their efforts in expanding inter-cultural learning.”
The day began with children being given an explanation of basic Hindu principles in the temple, including an opportunity for some of them to participate in celebratory rituals such as the Aarti prayer, with lit lamps. But it was not just a ritual following of what Hindu children were doing. An explanation was provided of what the rituals meant for Hindus, to place the activities in context for the visitors. Makan emphasized that the exercise was not at all aimed at converting children from other religions to Hinduism, but purely to share Hindu culture and practices with them to foster better inter-cultural understanding, breaking the myths often held by other religious groups about these practices.
After a breakfast, there was a host of fun games and play activities for all ages, coordinated by teenagers from the temple, before everyone sat down to a sumptuous vegetarian lunch, obviously tempered down from the usually hot and spicy dishes served at functions at the temple because of the sensitive palates of the children. “It is our intention that with our guru’s blessing this event becomes an annual affair as it can definitely help all South Africans to instill a spirit of tolerance, peace and understanding amongst us all,” Makan said.
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