And the statue culture comes to door step

Here, this is not prescribed by religious texts. In the building are people who belong to other faith (Christians and Protestants). I did point it out. But it was brushed aside by the treasurer....saying we attended their wedding ..they should not object to our rituals. The road is just 60 feet wide, of which you can think 10 feet gone on either side for footpath ..which is encroached by vehicles parked outside...the road is also the one leading to a school, and a bank. So there is plenty of traffic. Too many adjacent roads opening into it too. Effectively, only 40 feet is available to vehicles as well as pedestrians...some of whom will be just 3.5 feet tall, since little kids walk back from school. Second reason I am against this is ... they make it noisy. At odd times. Elderly with insomnia are disturbed. Babies are disturbed. Their mothers. Those who are sick are disturbed. Those who work in night shifts and so sleep during daytime are disturbed. Noise is definitely a no no. Third reason... this will be copied. There are Muslim families around. They will feel insecure. While this may not seem good enough reason, offense often becomes the best defense. Insecurity does lead to offensive stance. Fourth reason ....and the best. I would rather spend that money to feed some poor, or help an acid attack victim. Rather than spend on statue or ritual.

@vandana7 Right it is clearer to me now you have explained it in further detail & l have agree with your objection.

@garymarsh6 No other religion tends to make their gods so cheap. We have calenders, wedding cards, even covers that get thrown out, and newspapers all god's and goddesses...images. Then we fight with others if they accidentally have done similar to our gods, or didn't know much about these images but found them attractive so used them fashionably. God deserves respect. That seems to be lacking.

I planned to do that. But they came home. Asked me what will you prepare. I said nothing, but they wouldn't leave at that. So I said I will buy something and give. Then they sent a circular asking for donations. I do not believe in this. So I am going to give a token 1 rupee. Not a penny more, not a penny less.

@wolfgirl569 They have sent that slip twice to my place. Even as other flat owners haven't paid up. Imagine!

@vandana7 That's fair to only give that

I am trying hard to behave like that. These people have gone berserk.

@vandana7 Yes for real they have. I know.

They are demanding I participate. I refused...she was kinda annoyed.

@vandana7 It's your right to refuse, I would have done the same.

DJ ... I would rather feed poor on festival day. Its kinda...on festival, you and I are at par. Come share my food. Today, I share with you, tomorrow when I do not have enough, please be kind to share yours with me. Let festival be a day we are fed well, and thankful to our gods. My thinking anyway... it does not have to be many people. Just two would do. But poor. Rituals, confined to temples. There are no toilets there, no sewers.

@Daljinder Even in Islam it is there. I admire that. We say donate donate without organizing it. I believe what goes to the temples, only 1/10th of it reaches the really needy. LOL. People are so corrupt. I have paid bribe inside Tirupati temple. So don't tell me it does not exist. I am for feeding people. That is how it is with me. I know times are rough. Jobs are hard to come by. Reputation hard to establish.

@vandana7 I don't know. Feeding people isn't something we do as a festival thing. We have our systems where we donate money or wheat, sugar, rice, etc. as we can afford to Gurdwara and Gurdwara take care of feeding the people in need. It's a regular practice but in times of crisis such as floods, earthquakes, etc. it helps a lot. Sikhi is a very organized religion in that aspect. We have a term for this, 'Dasvandh". Dasvandh is the one-tenth part (or 10%) of one's income that one should donate, both financially and directly in the form of community service, according to Sikh principles.

Starting a new ritual, or following a ritual that you know is not prescribed by the books, is one of the things I do not like. I have given all valid reasons in Gary Marsh's box above. He agrees that I have a right to object.

@vandana7 of of course you have the right to object. I object to Jehovah's Witnesses knocking at my door

I do believe in my religion, and maybe I am more devout than them, though I hardly ever follow rituals. But this is too much. Congestion on road would be bad.

Yes, that is another factor...security. LOL

@vandana7 You said it right.

Hindu. I would be the only one dissenting. LOL

I really don't know. I am not for worship outside temples.