Today, we know there is nothing unusual about living with
diverse cultures. It is a world wide phenomenon. But there is this other dimension
to Mumbai, which makes it so unique. Except for scholars of religions, no other
people in so many numbers seem to know so much about the philosophies of
different religions.
The knowledge almost seems to be acquired by symbiosis. If
analysed, it may, no doubt, be very superficial and even inaccurate. But borne
out of this has been a slight blending of faiths. Thus, it isn't unusual to
see, a Parsi lady paying her respects to Sai Baba - offering Indian sweets and
praying fervently for all things most human beings pray for (health of a loved
one, success in an exam) - without losing her devotion for and prayers to Zoroaster;
a non-Buddhist declaring a fast on Thursday out of respect for Lord Buddha;
Many Mumbaikars, irrespective of the religion they were born in, believe in
putting garlands of Marigold at the entrance to their homes for good luck
during Dusshera - the day Ram returned to his kingdom, victorious, after
defeating the evil rakshas or demon, Ravan, who had captured his wife Sita; And
many believe in the Hindu Goddess of Wealth - Laxmi, (the word is now
synonymous with wealth in many an Indian vocabulary) who, it is said, only
enters brightly lit places during Diwali.
Rachana - Mrs. D’Costa’s maid - being a very devout Buddhist, celebrated Lord Buddha and prayed to him through the year. But she also went on foot for seven continuous Wednesdays, to attend the ‘Novenas’ at the Church of Mahim, about 5 km from her home. Over there she prayed to the Virgin Mary to turn her alcoholic, wife-beating husband into a new leaf, which was asking for nothing short of a miracle.
Rachana - Mrs. D’Costa’s maid - being a very devout Buddhist, celebrated Lord Buddha and prayed to him through the year. But she also went on foot for seven continuous Wednesdays, to attend the ‘Novenas’ at the Church of Mahim, about 5 km from her home. Over there she prayed to the Virgin Mary to turn her alcoholic, wife-beating husband into a new leaf, which was asking for nothing short of a miracle.
Perhaps it is sights like these - the willingness to gain
succour and strength from saints of other religions without feeling one is
letting down one's own - that has made Mumbai so unique in the eyes of her
residents. And perhaps, that is why, so many of them seem to have this implicit
belief in the truly secular nature of their city.