T For Travel

One aspect of the culture in India that one notices immediately when traveling and staying in the Mumbai hotels, walking around the city and interacting with the people, is that many of the religions in the country are based on the concept of non-violence and anti-cruel living.  One such group that follows these ideas in an extremely rigid manner are the Jains.  Jainism was a religion that was developing during the same time as Buddhism was, more than two thousand years ago.  One belief the Jains hold is the all humans are entirely responsible for their own actions, and that every living thing, human, plants and animals have a soul that will continue on throughout eternity.  All aspects of the religion dictate that practitioners and followers act and think and live with this in mind in a respectful manner to all forms of life, the knowledge that the nature of all things is spiritual.  God is viewed as that of pureness of the souls of all living creatures.  They believe that God is within, not without, not an all knowing creator or being of supremacy, but each and all of us.  The Jains are consistent in their beliefs to the extent that all viewpoints are considered, all perspectives are valid.

The Jains are compassionate, to all forms of life, those that are human, and those that are not.  This is the central driving force behind the prayers, the rituals, and daily ways of being.  Killing of humans is always considered abhorrent and unimaginable.  There is not ever a reason that is valid, no reason that is justifiable.  This is the one religion that requires all those practicing, to be a vegetarian.  The Hindus and the Buddhists have been influenced by this aspect of Jainism and most practice this now days as well.  Many of the shelters for animals are run by people of this culture throughout the country.  Many veterinary hospitals as well, are run by the Jains.  Most are vegans, as some of the dairy industries use practices that while the animals are not killed, they are often times guilty of cruel methods.  Some sects even go to the extent of not eating any vegetables that are roots, such as potatoes, onions and garlic.  As the root of the plant is the is what gives life to the plants.  Many of those most devout, will not drink, eat or travel once the sun sets.

In Mumbai/Bombay, hotel accommodations are varied, and it is easy to find hotels that will fit into any budget.  Many travel to to Mumbai each year to experience the diversity of the culture, the food of the different regions, the traditions, the crafts and festivals.  One of the cultures living within the city is the population of Indians that follow the Jain religion.  The philosophy was originally taken from the Ancient texts and teaching of India, the Tirthankaras.  This is one of the influential religions in the modern society of India today, even as there are one of the smaller groups in the country.  Many people in other countries have become members of this group, such as the countries throughout Western Europe, the Far East, Africa and the United States.

Jainism was established during the same time that Buddha was alive and teaching, by a man known as Mahavira.  This title is translated to mean ‘great hero’ in English.  He was older than Buddha, and both have similarities in there beliefs and philosophical ideas.  For instance, both men did not respect the caste systems and the barriers it has placed on the people in the country for thousands of years.  The sacred nature of the Vedas is also something that both question.

And both men renounced their royal upbringing and all the material aspects of this world.  For more than two thousand years the Jains have influenced many of India’s spheres in society, such as the political, the religious, the economic and the ethical aspect of culture.  The stress is put on the independent spiritual connection to the world, and that all of life is equal important.  Much as in Buddhism ideology, all emphasis is place on the practice of non-violence and and of self control over the worldly passions and desired in order to find the true nature of one’s soul.  Scholarship and education is an important tradition, and those in this culture are among the most educated members of the country’s population.  The oldest libraries in India are the Jain’s.  This is just one of the many interesting cultures and aspects of the societies of India.

The Fine Arts Society in Mumbai began in 1962 and was started by a group of social progress minded music enthusiasts. Their particular focus was on classical music, dance and drama. They had their first meeting in a garage, and their first program took place one year later. Membership in this organization is considered to be a prestigious element in one’s life. It is well respected and the Society continues to be at the forefront of community and cultural service institutions in and around Mumbai. It began as a service that would foster the creative development of young musicians and dancers, as well as other fine arts. This included a major educational intention for the group that included establishing academies and schools that would focus on the performing arts. The Society has become extremely influential in the Mumbai arts scene and tourists who are staying in one of the hotels Mumbai India should see this reflected in their exploration of the culture.

The first Annual Festival of Music, Dance and Drama took place before packed crowds in 1964. After this event, membership in the Society grew quickly, and they began to be recognized as a cultural force. They wanted an auditorium of their own and in 1990 they had begun to develop their multipurpose complex. It was inaugurated in 1993 by His Excellency Shri P.C. Alexander, the Governor of Maharashtra. The Society is interested in more than simply bringing greater awareness to performance arts and focusing on education. They also organize concerts, dramas, conferences, festivals, dances and exhibitions to advance the cause of classical music and the fine arts. In addition, part of their original intention was focused on health care. They sought to establish and operate diagnostic health care facilities and participate in medical research. This was an extremely ambition intention for the group of music lovers and the early development of the Society. It also accounts for some of the prestige and respect the Society has been accorded. Some of the early trail blazing group members are still active in the Society’s affairs.