 |
|
The Web site www.gurdwara.org provides glimpses of historical holy Sikh shrines. In addition this site is an ideal source of information for surfers and for pilgrims planning their visits to these holy places. Maps and sketches have also been depicted as additional sources of information. Devotees who wish to make their contribution for the projects, under karseva, may do so by offering their generous contributions for the address given at the website. The site also gives a historical account about the Sikh history, gurus, provides links to teach Punjabi, kirtan and Gurmukhi online. The sites also tell about the Sikh faith and beliefs, the hukamnama and tour and travel information. Quentin Schultze, author of Internet for Christians, believes that cyber worship would not change the face of the religion. According to him Web had made it incredibly easy for people to check out different religions and even correspond with members of various religious groups. The anonymity of online seeking, along with the scope of available information has facilitated widespread spiritual quests through cyberspace. Oddly enough, what appeared to be a mass medium, would be much more like a personal medium, when it came to spiritual seeking writes Schultze in his book. A Christian Web site like www.writeanswer.com provides a "sunshine worship service" made up of several segments each with a prayer. Scripture and lyrics to a hymn or chorus and follows up with text to a sermon. "Please sing along just as if you are at church", the Web site encourages. Joginder Singh, son of a priest in Chandigarh, feels that he has always thought one needed to go to a shrine and be with people of like faith, but he holds that there was nothing wrong with watching a gurdwara service online. According to him cyber worship should not replace the weekend kirtans, for people needed social interaction and religious gatherings provided the maximum. Joginder is presently working as Web developer in New Delhi. Today we could do about everything
online, shop, keep up with old friends or make new ones, listen music,
check out latest videos, seek help and much more. The day is not far off
when computers with Net connection will adorn the pooja room.
Virtual worship may soon become a household phenomenon. |
 |
 |
Cyber
temples or virtual temples often allow visitors to experience a virtual
temple service by interacting with the Web sites. Some such sites
provide online counselling or prayer support, others even the holy prasad.
If you wanted to go on a thirthayayatra to the Sri Ranganthaswamy
Vaishnavite temple, visit www.srirangam.org. The prasad or prasadam as
said online is taken care through e-commerce. If you are curious about
knowing details about the new temple at Dakshineswar, just e-mail them
at srkmath@vsnl.com or simply visit their web site at
www.sriramakrishnamath.org. One of the biggest temple network is Tripati
Devasthanam where you can book the date and time of online darshan
using a credit card. This Web site also provides facilities for those
who are ignorant about new media devotees. Those who do not have a
computer can also avail the facilities provided in every district
centres of Andhra Pradesh and in major cities. The Web site
www.templenet.com/encyclo.html and its homepages provide information
over a thousand temples. The pages on the site also provide links to
Tourism Corporation of India, state tourism authorities, besides the
geographical details about the location of each temple. The Ministry of
External Affairs tells you how to get to India, what you will need,
where and how to go and its rough cost. The site also names the
authorised persons for each temple.