We had a casual Ganesha Chaturthi Party last Saturday inviting few friends and their kids. It was nice family get-together both for adults to share the holiday spirit and for kids who had good time making Ganesha and getting to know about him.
I was requested to show the kids how to make Ganesha because they thought I am an expert in Ganesha making by looking at my Clay Ganesha from last week's Vinayakar Chaturthi. I accepted the request and just took the chance to show off my artistic ability. Ladies prepared instant artificial dove and got it ready for the art lesson.
I recollected my skills of making Ganesha from last week. F irst I took a trial run to practice myself once and then showed the kids step-by-step to make him. They wanted 3D Ganesh instead of 2D which I made last week. I gave it a try. Ladies helped kids to follow my lead. Actually they did better than me.
Check out the pictures of cute Ganesha's - different shapes and sizes,
I recollected my skills of making Ganesha from last week. F irst I took a trial run to practice myself once and then showed the kids step-by-step to make him. They wanted 3D Ganesh instead of 2D which I made last week. I gave it a try. Ladies helped kids to follow my lead. Actually they did better than me.
Check out the pictures of cute Ganesha's - different shapes and sizes,
My 3D Ganesha
Kids busy taking my lead creating their own Ganesha
Parade of Ganesha from artistic hands - Isn't so cute..
Close up look at them..
After creating Ganesha, Kids were lead by my friend's wife to tell slokas and thotrams as a prayer. Also she explained reasons of Ganesha's Elephant head, big stomach and other characteristic via some old stories. Some intelligent kids heard similar stories, tried to argue with her on different versions of it.
One who was like 12 years old, tried to make fun of the stories on cutting the elephant head and so on. It was funny to hear his argument but I went on to explain him, that these are just man made stories to make people believe in some good things. "Do you think its true?", I asked him. He started talking to me like, "Why can't it be true, if its not true why do follow, endless list of questions followed". I don't know what to say.
I am going throw out a big question, "How do yo tell GOD stories are imaginary ?!", "How to answer kids on that topic of GOD & RELIGION ?" In general, how well it can be explained to make them believe in religion you believe in. I know its a difficult question with too many answers. As parents many of you already gone thru this rapid round questions from your kids, whether its when you take them to temple or celebrating festivities. They are so picky but smart to ask simple questions like, "Why do we have so many GODS? Why do we celebrate Deepavali, Navarathi" like every American ask us?! "
We all have well versed answers for these questions with stories which was transferred to us by our elders. But Kids of this age, they are really smart and they are touch different religion in their very small age. I feel its lot more thought process need to be involved in answering this question in a simple way.
I believe in GOD greatly but I also know very well that these stories aren't actually true as an adult. I am conscious enough to differentiate them and believe or not to believe it. I also believe in ONE GOD, a super power which guides us but we all happen to continue our own HINDU tradition of worshiping many GOD's. Its all easy for us to think about it but when the small minds try to digest this big thing, its not an easy fact to grasp.
I had similar arguments with my wife and she strongly believes that we should continue to instill our beliefs to our kids but in a right way telling the true facts. We should walk in a fine line to explain about GOD and also about our religion not crossing the line. I totally agree with her. If we seed wrong belief system at this smaller age, it might end reaping adverse effect in the future.
What do you guys say ?! I love to hear from others on this very broad topic.
