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Survey results on wearing religious mark on forehead

October 6th, 2009
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The intro to the poll received many interesting and varied comments. Do read them first over here.

The poll ran from September 15th until October 3rd (18 days). A total of 175 response was elicited, with a majority saying they do wear such religious marks (67%).  9% do so on special occasions, while 7% do not wear such marks as they don’t believe in it. 6% wear such a mark if they remember while 4% feel uncomfortable doing so. 3% each voted for reasons “not praying” and “divisive mark”, while only 1% cited health reason.

[poll id=12]

As usual, this poll is just a general indication and is not representative of any segment/group of the population. The demographics of the voters are unknown, and as such, its relevance is limited to being a topic for discussion.

The earlier article received comments saying that its a personal choice and that no necessary need to wear marks on the forehead (not necessarily vibuthi only, can be thilak, or kungkumum, santhanam etc. too).

It is possible that many people wear such marks without knowing the benefit or use to one’s self and community. Some argue its a personal choice or a tradition/culture (which is possible as Hinduism is firmly entrenched in Indian culture).

I hope the poll did trigger readers to investigate further and learn something about putting religious marks on their foreheads.

  • Is it merely culture/fashion/symbolic or is it actually beneficial in some scientific/medical way?
  • Do we actually know why need to wear such marks on our forehead? Is there a valid reason acceptable to us?
  • Do we forsake the culture/fashion/symbol (if that’s what it is) due to the environment we work/live in or do we educate those around us to appreciate the diversity?
  • Does wearing such mark indicate one’s “holiness”? Many will agree that its a big “NO”.
  • Is wearing such marks considered creating friction by highlighting the differences between “you” and ‘others”?
  • Does wearing such marks indicate one’s backwardness or unprofessionalism or “stuck in certain mentality” type?

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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Beef about Beef

September 30th, 2009
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I guess the Indian culture of honoring cow as sacred/taboo (especially for Hindus) is not much of a trend nowadays. There are Hindus who consume beef, even in a tropical climate like Malaysia where the weather is warm and there’s plenty of choice food.  Of course, there’s the argument why can’t eat beef, but can eat chicken, mutton, fish etc.  After all, the rooster is symbol of Lord Muruga, and fish is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. That’s discrimination right? 🙂

We also see cattle breeders selling cows for the meat. And even restaurant owners like the folks below who have beef as part of the menu (they serve German food, so not much option I guess).

So, when it comes to making a living or doing what you have passion (like the cousins below), we can adapt and change according to needs. One can find literature saying that beef-eating was common in ancient India. And even now, India exports beef ( buffalo meat also) to many countries.

We can also talk about dharma – serving food for people is good deed. And if the customer wants to have a meal with beef or pork or whatever, is it the restaurant owner’s dharma to fulfill the need?

So, I wonder, why bother protesting over the cow head incidence in Shah Alam as insult to Hindus?

SHARING a passion for German cuisine, three cousins with no previous experience in the food and beverage industry decided to venture into business.

“We love German food especially the pork knuckles and we used to go out with our spouses to the different restaurants in town,” said Berlin Biergarten director Dr Kunalan, 37.

“Since we enjoy it so much, we thought why not just open up our own restaurant?” he said.

Together with his cousins Dr Loganathan and K. Vijayendran, the trio toyed with the idea of setting up a German restaurant with a more casual ambience that people could bring their family to.

“We usually bring our children with us and we wanted a place that looked more like a restaurant than a drinking place. We want people to come and appreciate the food,” said Dr Kunalan.

“Our wives thought we were crazy at first and they didn’t believe that we would do it. None of us have any experience in the business so we started learning as we went along,” said Dr Loganathan.

Dr Kunalan said they created the menu based on what they liked with input from their executive chef S. Panneer, 33, who is experienced in Western cuisine.

The roasted pork knuckles is synonymous with German cuisine and at the Berlin Biergarten, chef Panneer cooked up the Berlin Speciality Crispy Pork Knuckle, which is roasted with garlic and herbs. instead of being marinated with German beer.

What was intriguing about the dish was the bulb of roasted garlic served with the knuckle.

“Yes, the garlic can be eaten,” said Dr Kunalan with a laugh at my puzzled expression.

Instead of the pungent taste one would expect from biting into a whole clove of garlic, the roasted one was surprisingly soft to the bite and has a sweet fragrant taste.

Panneer explained that the garlic was also roasted with herbs together with the pork knuckle.

There was also a variety of German sausages to choose from like the traditional Bratwurst, which was served with sauerkraut and herbed button mushrooms, and the Chicken Black Pepper Sausage.

“We want to offer variety to our customers so they will also find chicken, beef and lamb sausages on our menu,” said Dr Kunalan.

For those who do not fancy digging into a meat dish, there was the vegetarian Berlin Pasta.

“It is cooked with five types of mushrooms with a vegetable broth,” said Panneer.

BERLIN BIERGARTEN, Soho KL Lot J-01-04, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur (Tel: 03-6203 0958). Business hours: 11am to 11pm daily (until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays). Non-halal.

NOTE: This is not an advertisement for the restaurant. As always – SAY NO TO ALCOHOL!

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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Sani Peyarchi

September 28th, 2009
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Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Went to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple in Puchong yesterday evening. Quite crowded due to the Sani Peyarchi (shifting of planet Saturn – Sani into new zodiac house -Simmam to Kanni) and Saraswathi Pooja functions being held on same day. Sani Peyarchi was on Saturday, but some temples are doing the pooja later due to various reasons.

As usual, some of the zodiac signs (raasi) will be affected in this cycle (up to 2011 for some raasi). Among them – Meenam, Khumbam, Mithunam, Tula, Simma, Kanni, etc. The priest read out the effects (basically all he possible disasters than can happen under the sun) and the parigharam to counter/negate the effects. Most of the parigharam involve praying to Lord Saniswaran and his guru Lord Perumal, added with lighting the ghee lamps, chanting certain mantras, etc.

Made me wonder, people face negative things all this while – family problems, health, career/employment problems, car accidents, etc. Who to blame then if now can blame the planets and one’s own raasi?

In the final analysis, virtually nothing can stop Karma (except Divine Interception) from running its path. You reap what you sow. I believe negative things in life also teaches you good lessons. Its part of the learning process and cleansing of bad karma. Good or bad, need to face it and move on. We can only try to reduce the negative effects by praying, doing good deeds, and having self-awareness/maturity/discipline.

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Posted in I Was Here, Religion

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Brain Power & Breathing techniques on Astro Vizhuthugal

September 16th, 2009
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Speaker on Astro Vizhuthugal special speech about Brain Power & Breathing technique with practical. 14th Sept 2009 onwards, weekly Monday & Wednesday. Broadcasting twice each day 1st 9.30am and 2nd 10.30pm. Elan’s 20 years experience shared for Astro viewers. More then 7 major  brain breathing techniques will be thought theory, research results, benefits and practically.

Elan is the founder of Universe Awareness Research Centre and acts as the primary consultant to the company

As a result of a special filming for Astro Vizhuthugal about Brain Power & Breathing techniques, the Vizhuthugal channel will be televising an edited series of programs for public viewing as follows –

Beginning 14th September 2009 onwards

Every Monday & Wednesday.

Broadcasting twice each day:

1st view 9.30 a.m.

2nd view 10.30 p.m.

for a total period of approximately nine (9) weeks.

Elan’s years of technical research and experience is now shared with Astro viewers. The series will provide extensive information and basic training in at least 7 major brain breathing techniques, with highly practical explanations on how to maximize the brains utilization factor.

With regimented compliance of all strategies and techniques, students will improve their brain utilization factor from the world average of 3.4% to an average exceeding 10% and in some cases, over a period of 90 days, to a utilization factor of up to 30% which equals the ratio of the world’s more renowned scientists.

Nationwide *FREE Seminar (Preview):

To organize FREE 90 minute previews at NGO’s, schools, colleges or universities and for other enquiries, please contact the Manager & Business Partner Ms Arasi Barlow at 012 6391186 or email to arasi@universeawareness.com

Note: This is not a paid advertisement.

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Posted in Religion

Poll on wearing vibuthi and praying

September 15th, 2009
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Of late, I noticed less and less Indians wearing the religious mark on their foreheads.  Probably they are not Hindus, but Christians or Muslims. Or perhaps there are other reasons.

Perhaps its an indication that people may not be praying or they even don’t have much faith in the vague thing called religion.

What do you think? Do you wear any such religious marks on your forehead? Do vote in the poll at the sidebar.

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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