Temple Project covered by CNN IBN news channel

The following is the news item that appeared on the English news channel CNN IBN on July 31, 2007.

Hanging out at temples to rationalise religion

Aarti Nagaraj/ CNN IBN

Chennai: Most people who come to a temple, take the vibhuti which is given. But do they know why do it or what is its significance?

These are questions that Sairam and his friends are trying to answer. The engineering students go from temple to temple, put up posters, and try to explain the logic behind Hindu religious practices like the applying of kumkum, and worshipping the Tulsi plant.

Says Sairam, "It's only if people are going to have that awarenesss and the practice their religion that they are going to be able to develop that conviction. Out of this conviction then will they develop an India which is truly cultural."

The students gather their information from the Internet. It is this that they share as scientific logic with those visiting temples.

Says a devotee, Swaminathan, "Most of us come here to pray for ourselves and ask God to fulfill our wishes. We don't think about the scientific fact behind these practices. Only when the science behind rituals is explored will people develop an interest in these practices."

The students started doing their rounds around four months ago and they say the response has encouraged them to write a book. Meanwhile, one has to agree that it is an unusual hobby in an age when more and more youngsters are heading to pubs and discos rather than temples.

Here is the link for the video:

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/45972/hanging-out-at-temples-to-rationalise-religion.html