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RSS To Temples: Stop Spending Money On Extravagant Festivities, Focus On Education

RSS To Temples: Stop Spending Money On Extravagant Festivities, Focus On Education
Mohan Bhagwat, chief of India's Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), addresses a rally in Kolkata December 20, 2014. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri (INDIA - Tags: POLITICS)
Rupak De Chowdhuri / Reuters
Mohan Bhagwat, chief of India's Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), addresses a rally in Kolkata December 20, 2014. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri (INDIA - Tags: POLITICS)

After advocating for women's entry in places of worship, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) now wants temples to stop ostentatious festivities and instead focus on charity, reports Hindustan Times.

According to reports, the RSS has asked temples to focus on philanthropy and support education and healthcare services. They have appealed to temples to stop wasting money on extravagant festivities--organising mimicry shows, fireworks, film shows and animal procession.

This comes after the Puttingal temple fire in Kerala’s Kollam, which was set off when sparks during a fireworks display fell on a stockpile of crackers, trapping devotees and killing over a 100 people.

“In the name of cultural programmes there are magic and mimicry shows, these don’t suit the temple culture, besides lakhs of rupees are spent on them; this is also extravaganza. Cultural programmes should be in-keeping with the traditions of the temple, the local culture and there should be no vulgarity,” J Nandakumar, publicity-incharge of the RSS told Hindustan Times.

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