The Oblations

The oblation (Shraddh) is the ceremonies and rituals performed for the departed souls of dead ancestors. It is believed that the souls will attain peace by the rituals performed during the anniversary days. It is Yama, the god of death in Hindu mythology, who explained the importance of Shraddh. The rituals are usually performed under the guidance of a learned person or priest. To remember the ancestors is something to do for the descendants. This can be done informally in one's own private time. The ancestry goes as far to the first humans. It then could go through the different stages of evolution. Before the first human and the first life form there was the interaction and compounding of matter to make the conditions to allow life to begin its progress. Before the existence of matter there was emptiness. These are all points derived from evidence, postulations and assumptions. Still, besides this many varied theories on this existence have been passed down by soothsayers, seers, oracles, scholars, and those who are involved in religious, spiritual, mystical affairs. All give more meaning and hold many interesting ideas on the details of creation, existence and interrogatives related to these topics.

The Solitude place at Haridwar where I usually offer oblations to my beloved father. The Ganges is believed to be the most sacred and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs. It has also been important historically: many former provincial or imperial capitals (such as Patliputra,Kannauj,Kara, Kashi, Allahabad, Murshidabad, Munger, Baharampur and Kolkata) have been located on its banks. The Ganges was ranked among the five most polluted rivers of the world in 2007 with fecal coliform levels in the river near Varanasi more than one hundred times the official Indian government limits. Pollution threatens not only humans, but also more than 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species and the endangered Ganges river dolphin The Ganga Action Plan, an environmental initiative to clean up the river, has been a major failure thus far, due to corruption and lack of technical expertise,lack of good environmental planning, Indian traditions and beliefs,and lack of support from religious authorities.