Why do we waste milk and coconuts in the name of god ?

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One of the reasons I have stopped visiting temples often is because of the practice of wasting edible food rituals. Not all the rituals that go on today are based on scriptural wisdom. I feel that over the centuries certain flaws have crept into our culture. Hindus have this rite of breaking coconuts in temples. A Hindu might break coconuts in temples any time of the year – to fulfill his vows or simply as an offering for GOD Breaking coconuts symbolizing the surrender of one’s ego at the feet of the lord.



During my childhood days, the broken coconuts were collected, then, consumed – the flesh either was eaten raw or cooked. As time progressed, broken coconuts are no longer collected – it has become a matter of prestige, collecting the shreds of broken coconuts is considered as not dignified by viewers. As the mindset evolved, the number of coconuts being broken has also increased.


I have seen many times, that one devotee breaking 100 coconuts at one go. It is believed that the more coconuts are broken, the more luck and blessings would be bestowed on you and your family by the lord. Will the god ever ask to break thousands of coconuts, pour gallons of milk and ghee on him to win his attention and his blessings? It is indeed disappointing to see piles of broken coconuts littered with all flee on them, The Ragpickers are wiser and won’t dare to collect them fearing consumption of such coconuts could lead to ill-health, then why we are failing to understand small things? These culminated broken coconuts might be dumped in landfills and later burnt and release noxious gasses that cause pollution! Don’t Know I am sure no GOD approves this! Let’s stop this blatant wastage of food and money. With proper systematic educations, we should understand what the original culture was and how the present culture can be cleansed of the many contaminations that may have come into it. Let’s not mix worship and wastage. Let there be sanity, at least in the name of GOD!!!

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