Friday, June 12, 2009

Rituals at Ka'aba

The Ka'aba may well have been a Hindu temple if you go by the rituals that go on there even today during Hajj - rituals done at no other mosque anywhere else in the world at any time but done at all Hindu temples everywhere in the world on all days.

1. The Ka'aba is the sanctum sanctorum within the mosque akin to the sanctum sanctorum within all Hindu temples.

2. The sanctum sanctorum contains a black stone akin to the idol in Hindu temples.

3. The Ka'aba is circumbulated by the Muslims just as the Hindus circumbulate the sanctum sanctorum of their temples - only the Hindus largely circumbulate clockwise whereas the Muslims circumbulate anti-clockwise.

4. There is the zam zam well beside the sanctum sanctorum in Mecca mosque just as there is a well beside the sanctum sanctorum in many Hindu temples.

5. Zam Zam water is distributed in Mecca and is taken home by the pilgrims just as Theertha (water from the well) is given or sprinkled on the pilgrim in Hindu temples.

6. Hindus pray to the idol of God by smashing coconuts whereas Muslims curse the idol of Satan by stoning it with pebbles. One a positive action and the other a negative action.

7. Muslims shave the head during Hajj while Hindus do so in some temples during their pilgrimage.

8. Sparse clothing is mandatory during Hajj. Sparse clothing is common during temple pilgrimages.

9. Muslims offer animal sacrifice during Hajj. In some temples Hindus did the same (this practice is now frowned upon and only in rare temples does it occur).

10. Muslims enter into a period of special discipline before Hajj. The Hindus too have a period of special discipline before pilgrimage to some well-known temples.

In short, going on pilgrimage to the Mecca mosque causes the pilgrim to undergo rituals that rings of rituals that are common in Hinduism. A legacy of Hinduism in Mecca?

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