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However, this course, which is open to members of all communities, is facing opposition from some ‘priests’ who claimed that conducting such Vedic rituals requires “Upanayana Sanskar”.
“With a large number of devotees expected to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar for the Kumbh Mela, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha had announced a short-term employment-oriented course. As a result, a 21-day course was developed by the state skill development department and Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University (Ramtech),” an official said.
He said, students in the age group of 12-45 are being taught details about Vedic rituals, their inception, mantra chanting, material related to various rituals and Hindu rites etc.
“On completion of the 21-day training, candidates will receive a certificate based on their performance and attendance,” he said. Based on this, they can perform rituals or assist other priests,” he said, however, adding that there is no connection between the Kumbh Mela and the training course.
Dr. Amit Bhargava, head of the Vedavidya department of Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, stressed, “Students from all communities, including Brahmins, are being trained. Later, a 10-day course will be organized during which training related to Kumbh will be given.”
However, there is strong opposition to this course by a section of ‘priests’.
Without ‘Upanayana Sanskar’, one cannot learn the Vedas. For this a person has to wear ‘Yadnopavit’ (sacred thread). Therefore, the question of caste and community arises. Even our ‘yajman’ (customers) will not accept anyone other than a Brahmin as the priest to perform the rituals,” claimed ‘purohit’ Hemant Pisolkar.
“Our children spend at least seven years learning ‘Samhita’. How can people learn even small rituals and mantras in such a short period of time?” He asked question.
(edited by : Sarabasti Biswas,