Methodology: Observation, Interviews
Language: Marathi
Catalysts: Santosh Takale
Youth Fellows:
Poonam Narvekar
Sonal Pawar
Reshma Ambekar
Suchitra Surve
Tejas Waghmare
Nilesh Ahire
Sheilesh Jadhav
Shrikant Jadhav
Coordinator:
Vandana Khare
About the Subject:
Three places in Mumbai – Mahalakshmi Temple, Mahim Dargah and Church of Mount Mary – are famous for people to take a vow which is linked to fulfilling of a particular wish by their respective Gods! Santosh and his group decided to find out what drives people to these particular places and if there is some relationship between their vows and the commercial activities outside the temples, churches and dargah.
Challenges & Learnings:
This research forced the researchers to evaluate, reflect upon and clarify their own concept of God and religion. While reflecting upon themselves, it was easy for them to understand why other people were in this process.
Conclusion:
The research revealed that majority of the people are taking vows and asking for health related favors! Many a time, even when their desires do not get fulfilled by God (as is the perception), people still complete the vow and donate whatever was decided upon in the first place so as not to anger the Almighty!
Most people donate whatever is sold outside the temple or church or the dargah, thus connecting this activity deeply to commerce. What was interesting to note that people from all religions go to any of these three places to take a vow and do not restrict this activity only to their own religious place!
End Product:
This group produced posters and a small booklet explaining their findings.
