Once you read this story, I am sure you will be left with only a word ‘WTF’…
The world is all set to ring in the New Year. The countdown has begun and only a few days are remaining to bid adieu to 2k17. So, as we are living in democratic country India, it is obvious that some people have their way of thinking and warning others! What do you think? Calm down guys, this is a sarcastic comment.
I have come through a bizarre statement of none other than a witty priest(what we consider a priest). I am talking about a priest of the Chilkur Balaji Temple in Telangana. The priest name is CS Rangarajan and he is the chief priest of the Chilkur Balaji temple. The priest warned that if any devotee wished him ‘Happy New Year’ on January 1, 2018, in the temple premises, he would make the devotee do sit-ups as punishment.
According to him, New Year is against Hinduism and asked Hindus to observe Ugadi, the Telugu New Year.
Speaking to TNM, the priest said, “Every year I say the same to the devotees during the months of November and December, but this is the first time that my view has got a wider reach.”
Later, by defending his stance, he said, “I am like a teacher in the temple, the devotees are students. I have a right to be offended If someone wishes me Happy New Year. Ugadi is our New Year, not January 1.”
“There is a need to uphold the Hindu culture. With each passing generation, we are forgetting our culture. There is no need for others to convert us. We ourselves are ignoring our culture and putting it in jeopardy,” the priest added.
If not enough, he went on to add, “Even many churches don’t conduct midnight masses on the eve of New Year. This is just a mass frenzy.”
However, there are many others who think the same. As Andhra Pradesh endowments department also directed temple managements to ban the practice of decorating the temple on New Year.
