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Published on 21st March, 2021, in Mid-day. Hindus are constantly reminded of the cycle of life, in ritual after ritual. In Vedic times, 3,000 years ago, bricks would be gathered to build a fire altar where the gods would be invited to come and partake in a meal of soma juice. After the gods had been fed and after they had departed, the entire ritual complex would be dismantled and set aflame. Nowadays, images of Ganesha and Durga made of straw and clay are brought to homes, worshipped elaborately, and then cast into the river, and the cycle repeats year after year after year. Similarly, ..