Hindu traditions and customs

Reviewed by Siva Sivapragasam

Many of us are ignorant of the reasons or concepts behind Hindu rituals, festivals, traditions and customs. It will be surprising to know that every ritual or tradition has a story behind it. There is also a concept or tradition behind every festival.

Sivanandini Duraiswamy's Book Remembering Hindu Traditions attempts to explore the reasons behind these traditions and gives the reader a ring-side view of Hindu rituals and festivals. The author was born into a traditional Hindu family and is the daughter of Dr. Nallainathan, a well respected Medical practitioner a devout Hindu himself. She is the President of the Saiva Mangayar Kalagam (Hindu Women's Society), the premier Hindu Women's Organisation in Sri Lanka and also the Manager of Hindu Ladies College in Colombo, better known as Saiva Mangayar Vidiyalayam. She had travelled extensively with her husband Yogendra Duraiswamy who was a Diplomat, and during these travels she had researched Hindu culture as compared with other cultures. An important chapter of the book is the first chapter which deals with hindu traditions of worshiping. In a way, it is a gateway to the understanding of Hindu traditions.

Temples are the living monuments dedicated to religious practices. Although the characters of the temple of diverse religions vary, it serves the same purpose of practising one's religion.

In the chapter 'Temples and sacred worship, the author deals extensively with not only the physical attribute of the unique architecture of the Hindu temple but also the scientific and philosophical basis of the construction which embodies the Yoga Centres of Consciousness.

A considerable part of the book is dedicated to feature significant fasts and festivals in Hindu tradition. In this important segment, the author extensively describes diverse festivals and fasts such as Maha Sivaraatri, Navaraatri Fast and Aadi Vel

One of the important chapters in this segment is the chapter describing the Hindu Wedding.

The wedding is an important cultural site where the epitome of culture is depicted in terms of customs and traditions. The author skilfully captures the deeper meanings of Hindu wedding traditions as: "In Hindu philosophy, the bride and groom represent Lord Siva and His Consort. The nuptial ceremony portrays them as the Divine couple. The marriage of Siva and Parvati symbolise the union of the mobile Absolute Siva, and Mobile Creative Energy, Sakti. These represent the potential kinetic states of Energy in the Universe. "

The author has made the book more attractive by including illustrations and pictures which she has collected over the years, to describe the contents. The Book has been published by the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs in Sri Lanka.

Remembering Hindu Traditions fulfils an important knowledge gap in the study of Hindu traditions. Since it has been written in English it is an informative read for the Hindu diaspora in general and for the second and third generation of immigrants in particular. It is of lasting value to deserving readers and a fitting gift from Sri Lankan Hindu community to the Hindus of the world.