PASIGHAT, Apr 19: Donyi Polo Temple was inguarated today at Siying Gangging, 3 km away from Pasighat, on April 19 last.
People from all walks of life joined tha momentous celebrations.
The collective dream temple of the Adi community finally became a reality in Siying. The much awaited temple was inaugurated by the 38 East MLA Bosiram Siram on Sunday last.
Shouts of joy from the throng of devotees, assembled in the forecourt of the Temple greeted the Chief Guest on his arrival. Some marched with colorful costumes, song and traditional Ponung dance in jubilation.
The Chief Guest, Siram on the occasion said that emphasis has been given by the devotees in right direction to preserve indigenous faith and culture and spiritual activities. Donyi Poloism is the oldest religions that originated in Arunachal Pradesh and its followers practice the tenets of non-violence, compassion, sustenance of ecology and emphasize equality of all life by worshiping Sun and Moon. The temple is a place of worship and we should not mix our activities with politics or any party agenda, Siram suggested. ‘I hope to be invited back to many more occasions/events and prepared to help in whatever way I can’, the MLA assured the devotees on the occasion. Earlier, he offered prayer in the Prayer hall-cum-Meditation room, where the portrait of Donyi Mikmie Serine and Polo Migoe Serome is installed on the sacred sanctorum.
‘It is an opportunity to be here today to attend and join in spiritual activities’, said T. Talom, Principal (JNC).the another speaker, Tageng Tamuk VP (DNC, Itanagar) in his brief speech said he is sincerely passionate about the future development of the temple.
I have a doubt here.. I guess the title should be “Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang Gangging Siiring” or “Donyi Polo Lotta” or “Donyi Polo Dere” depending on the Tani tribes’ local dialects.. Titling the article as Donyi Polo “Temple” gives the wrong impression that Donyi Poloism is related to Hinduism. We have often seen Arunachali Christians accusing the revival of Donyi Poloism as something akin to Hinduism and pooh pooing our attmepts based solely on this grounds. The Hindu run organizations in Arunachal have indeed stongly advocated the “Loss of culture, Loss of identity” among the tribal natives. But these attempts are often marred by their (some few of dem) efforts to imbibe the foreign Hindu culture among Arunachalis and start a silent revolution of “reconversion”.. Of what??? From Christianity (Donyi Poloism,Other native animist religions included) to Hinduism!!!
To some people such matters of culture, traditions and religion might sound mundane and could be just another nonchalant affair. But to those who have faith in it, this little piece of wrong information might sound disturbing. Little events always become the bigger events later.
Therefore if possible could this heading be edited and made right? I really appreciate efforts such as this to keep us tuned to home. Hope to hear more. Thanks..