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Revival of ancient traditions: DIY homa workshop fuels spiritual revival in Gujarat
Revival of ancient traditions: DIY homa workshop fuels spiritual revival in Gujarat
New Delhi, India, March 21: Homa/Yajna is an ancient spiritual practice dating back to Vedic times. Over the years, it has been maintained and evolved and even in modern times, no Hindu religious/auspicious event is possible without Yajna/Homa. Usually, whenever we need to perform Homa/Yajna at our place, be it Grihapravesh, wedding, puja or any such auspicious occasion, we take the help of Panditi . But in Vadodara there were a few people who learned Homa by themselves.
This workshop was conducted by Arunisha Sengupta, who is all too free and seeks to teach Homa to the common people, irrespective of their caste or creed. “A priest is generally an intermediary who builds a bridge between you and God. Having said that, the Shastras say, 'Agnirmile Purohitam.' This means that Agni is purohit and he takes the offerings directly to the god. In ancient times, homa was also a daily spiritual practice. What I do is familiarize the public with ancient traditions. In this way, by living our values, the seeds of spirituality are further sown,” says Arunisha. Arunisha, a MARCOM consultant by profession, started her spiritual journey at an early age. After exploring different avenues, she found her calling in Fire. She learned to perform and conduct yagnas and homas, and she is now one of the few women in India who practices homas as a spiritual tool.
Arunisha has been conducting such do-it-yourself (DIY) Homa workshops across the country. She travels to different cities and teaches Homa in the simplest possible way through a simple manual. “There are no complicated rituals and the materials are very simple. Developed by my spiritual director, these simple, easy-to-follow Homa manuals can be a beginner's first step on a spiritually fulfilling path. And we all know that any homa/yagna brings immense positivity to the environment,” Arunisha further added. In Gujarat, DIY Homa She Workshop was held for the first time in Vadodara. Since the workshop is free for everyone, Arunisha hopes it can be held in other cities in Gujarat as well.
Homa workshops and group spiritual practices help build confidence and exchange the free flow of positive energy. It is truly heartening to see this country undergoing a spiritual resurgence today. As ancient traditions are uncovered, more and more young people are becoming interested in and drawn to Indian traditions and values. Consistent daily practice of Homa is the basis for promoting this revival.