Today, we know there is nothing unusual about living with diverse cultures.
It is a world wide phenomenon.
But there is this other dimension to Mumbai, which makes it so unique.
Except for scholars of religions, no other people in so many numbers seem to know so much about the philosophies of different religions.
The knowledge almost seems to be acquired by symbiosis.
If analysed, it may, no doubt, be very superficial and even inaccurate.
But borne out of this has been a slight blending of faiths.
Thus, it isn't unusual to see, a Parsi lady paying her respects to Sai Baba - offering Indian sweets and praying fervently for all things most human beings pray for (health of a loved one, success in an exam) - without losing her devotion for and prayers to Zoroaster; a non-Buddhist declaring a fast on Thursday out of respect for Lord Buddha; Many Mumbaikars, irrespective of the religion they were born in, believe in putting garlands of Marigold at the entrance to their homes for good luck during Dusshera - the day Ram returned to his kingdom, victorious, after defeating the evil rakshas or demon, Ravan, who had captured his wife Sita; And many believe in the Hindu Goddess of Wealth - Laxmi, (the word is now synonymous with wealth in many an Indian vocabulary) who, it is said, only enters brightly lit places during Diwali.
Rachana - Mrs.
D'Costa's maid - being a very devout Buddhist, celebrated Lord Buddha and prayed to him through the year.
But she also went on foot for seven continuous Wednesdays, to attend the 'Novenas' at the Church of Mahim, about 5 km from her home.
Over there she prayed to the Virgin Mary to turn her alcoholic, wife-beating husband into a new leaf, which was asking for nothing short of a miracle.
Perhaps it is sights like these - the willingness to gain succour and strength from saints of other religions without feeling one is letting down one's own - that has made Mumbai so unique in the eyes of her residents.
And perhaps, that is why, so many of them seem to have this implicit belief in the truly secular nature of their city.
Of course it happens in other cities of India too.
Take the example of a group of Muslim women in Patna, another city of India.
They clean the banks of the river in their city so their Hindu counterparts can take part in a Hindu festival on the river's banks without stepping on sharp objects.
It is a world wide phenomenon.
But there is this other dimension to Mumbai, which makes it so unique.
Except for scholars of religions, no other people in so many numbers seem to know so much about the philosophies of different religions.
The knowledge almost seems to be acquired by symbiosis.
If analysed, it may, no doubt, be very superficial and even inaccurate.
But borne out of this has been a slight blending of faiths.
Thus, it isn't unusual to see, a Parsi lady paying her respects to Sai Baba - offering Indian sweets and praying fervently for all things most human beings pray for (health of a loved one, success in an exam) - without losing her devotion for and prayers to Zoroaster; a non-Buddhist declaring a fast on Thursday out of respect for Lord Buddha; Many Mumbaikars, irrespective of the religion they were born in, believe in putting garlands of Marigold at the entrance to their homes for good luck during Dusshera - the day Ram returned to his kingdom, victorious, after defeating the evil rakshas or demon, Ravan, who had captured his wife Sita; And many believe in the Hindu Goddess of Wealth - Laxmi, (the word is now synonymous with wealth in many an Indian vocabulary) who, it is said, only enters brightly lit places during Diwali.
Rachana - Mrs.
D'Costa's maid - being a very devout Buddhist, celebrated Lord Buddha and prayed to him through the year.
But she also went on foot for seven continuous Wednesdays, to attend the 'Novenas' at the Church of Mahim, about 5 km from her home.
Over there she prayed to the Virgin Mary to turn her alcoholic, wife-beating husband into a new leaf, which was asking for nothing short of a miracle.
Perhaps it is sights like these - the willingness to gain succour and strength from saints of other religions without feeling one is letting down one's own - that has made Mumbai so unique in the eyes of her residents.
And perhaps, that is why, so many of them seem to have this implicit belief in the truly secular nature of their city.
Of course it happens in other cities of India too.
Take the example of a group of Muslim women in Patna, another city of India.
They clean the banks of the river in their city so their Hindu counterparts can take part in a Hindu festival on the river's banks without stepping on sharp objects.
Source...