Merry making at Religious Places

What if religious places are just another spot of tourist attraction? And, the rituals are just a work of fun?

Religious rituals have been reigning the humanity over centuries. Through ages, they have been passing across generations. Some of the practices have scientific significance, yet most of them are just rituals, having no significant impact on the lives of people. Nevertheless, people follow them either in fear or just out of ignorance.

Some religions don't allow people of other belief to enter into their so-called sacred places. They believe that letting others into their places is merely making them exposed to the practices which those outsiders might think useless. This is, in fact, a reiteration of the fact that if we see something rationally without blindfolding our eyes through belief, we see the truth.  

So to speak, if one see the practices of Church without believing in Jesus; of Mosque unbeknown to Allah, and of Temple not thinking of the existence of Ram or Krishna, then only that person can judge how rational are those ritual practices.

In a bid to restrict the non-believers, some Churches here in Kathmandu only allows Christians. The biggest Hindu temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, is only welcome to Hindus. Next, the Mosques are forbidden places for the people of other beliefs or atheists.

Some religious places restrict certain people, animals or people at the different stage of life. For instance, most of the Hindu temples across Nepal restrict the entry of their own Hindu believers--Dalits, who they think is an impure breed of human. In addition, they also don't allow menstruating women and animals--except cattle (they worship cattle).  

  

However, in some places, for example, Swayambhu, revered by Buddhists, is open to the people of all beliefs. 

Last evening, I visited Swayambhunath in Kathmandu with my 3 and half year old daughter. 

We came to encounter people of all believes, castes, ages and ethnicity. No-one was feeling hostile. And, they were not breeding the fear of possible exile from the place if their identity is revealed. 

Although I am not a Buddhist, I was feeling so refreshed to visit the place. Occasionally, revolving around the Big statue of Buddha was so entertaining. My daughter was also very happy to be there yet she has barely an idea about God, religion and all these stuff. 

I was thinking, religious practices would have been so beautiful there were acceptances to all the creatures--despite thinking where they belong to. And, every religious place would have been a beautiful place to cherish and be happy if they were as welcoming as this place--Swayambhu.