Priests play an important role in India’s cultural and social fabric, but today many faithful complain that finding an affordable Pandit-ji is an uphill task
As skepticism grows and experiences vary, the sacred relationship between pandits and the community faces new challenges amid financial strains and evolving expectations. (Image by Freepik)
In the sprawling mosaic of India’s cultural landscape, Pandits (Hindu priests) are often cast as the spiritual maestros orchestrating the divine symphonies of life’s rituals. These saffron-clad gentlemen are loved, and revered for the knowledge they impart and the pujas they conduct for their yajmans (hosts). Whether it is a Ganpati Sthapna or a puja for Vaastu Shanti, these pandits play an important role in establishing a sacred link between the supposed “gods” and us, commoners.
But beneath the robes of reverence and incense-laden air, there’s a subplot that rivals any Bollywood drama — a backstage saga of aspiring priests navigating a maze of tradition, expectation, and the ever-present financial hiccups.
Welcome to the world where ancient rites clash with modern gripes, and where the sacred meets the human imperfections, in the high-stakes arena of spiritual service.
"After doing the puja by myself, I found the experience profoundly moving, unfiltered by the presence of middlemen.” — Sarika Tripathi, a resident in Mumbai
"After doing the puja by myself, I found the experience profoundly moving, unfiltered by the presence of middlemen.” — Sarika Tripathi, a resident in Mumbai
Prayer & Powerplay
Pandits have historically enjoyed a prosperous life, benefiting from the social privileges as the highest caste in the Varna system. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift.
Pandits have historically enjoyed a prosperous life, benefiting from the social privileges as the highest caste in the Varna system. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift.
Growing skepticism towards Pandits has emerged, with people increasingly questioning the authenticity of the mantras recited during pujas and voicing concerns over their high fees.
Karunashankar Tiwari, a corporate employee from Mumbai states, “Getting genuine Pandits in Mumbai gets tougher during festivals. During Ganesh Chaturthi of 2021, we were struggling to get hold of a Pandit for Ganesh Sthapna and Visarjan. After an exhaustive search and references given by relatives, I managed to get a Pandit (24-25 years old approx.) and was willing to come for an unusually high price and unreasonably early time of 3 AM for Sthapna.”
He further added that as soon as he saw the puja, he realized the Pandit was a novice. Having witnessed the Sthapna ritual for over 40 years, Tiwari knew the sequence followed during the elaborate process. “After the festivities, I received YouTube links of bhajan videos from the same Pandit. It became clear that he was primarily a bhajan singer associated with multiple bhajan mandalis who doubled up as Pandit during Ganesh Utsav,” says Tiwari.
Spiritual Hiccups
Many faithful from metros like Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata have shared similar stories. Jaideep S, a resident of Delhi shares his experience with a priest, who came to do Vaastu Puja of his new bungalow in Goa. “The priest first asked me the price of the house. When I told him, he told me his charges would be Rs 1 lakh. I was completely flabbergasted,” says Jaideep, who unwillingly paid the money to avoid embarrassment in front of his guests.
Spiritual Hiccups
Many faithful from metros like Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata have shared similar stories. Jaideep S, a resident of Delhi shares his experience with a priest, who came to do Vaastu Puja of his new bungalow in Goa. “The priest first asked me the price of the house. When I told him, he told me his charges would be Rs 1 lakh. I was completely flabbergasted,” says Jaideep, who unwillingly paid the money to avoid embarrassment in front of his guests.
A leading businesswoman from Hyderabad complained that her priest just did not turn up and left them in the lurch. “I recited the mantras from YouTube and completed the puja myself,” she adds.
Sarika Tripathi, another Mumbai dweller shared her experience of a Pandit canceling on her last moment for the sthapna. “I tried sourcing other Pandits through Justdial, but all of them denied stating a busy schedule. With no option left, I opened YouTube and did the puja by myself,” Sarika says. She found the experience profoundly moving, feeling a more authentic and direct connection with Ganpati Bappa.
Apart from this, a lot of Pandits also thrive on fear-based marketing in India, which further taints their reputation. Dimple Mehra, a renowned fortune-teller and daily tarot columnist with a leading news channel recalls two episodes wherein a Pandit tried misleading her about some doshas (flaws) in her Kundali (birth chart) and at one instance, even asked her to get physically involved with him as a remedy to find a suitable partner for marriage.
In the second incident, she mentioned about a famous temple clergy asking her and friends to get a pooja done for matrimonial purposes, charging Rs. 30,000 each. “What was bizarre was him mentioning that the pooja will happen remotely, without involving them. Sensing that something was fishy, we politely declined his offers and sought to exit the situation,” she says.
Spiritual Journey
Many Pandits mostly belong to the Brahmin families and have a long tradition of priesthood in their lineage. For these individuals, the path to becoming a Pandit is almost a matter of familial inheritance. “One has to devote themselves in service to a Sadhguru, to attain mastery as a Pandit,” says Pandit Varun Tripathi from Mumbai. He further explains how students enrol themselves in Gurukuls at places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Chitrakut, or at the banks of river Narmada to study this field in depth. “It’s all a matter of practice and your faith in the divine which determines how much time you take to become a Pandit” he adds.
Misconceptions Galore
Bollywood’s portrayal of Pandits, often negative and stereotypical, has tarnished their reputation. Once revered, they are now viewed with suspicion, accused of being greedy money mongers who exploit poor clients and damage the perception of Vedic sciences and astrology in India. “Knowledge is never bad. It’s the intention of the person exercising his knowledge which can be judged as good or bad” says Praveen Vishwakarma, a Vaastu expert and consultant from Mumbai. “Often people expect a Pandit to be a fortune-teller, even if he or she makes it clear that it is not their expertise, people are still persistent with their demands,” says Mehra. So eventually the Pandit has to do things which are out of his or her ambit of knowledge, leading to disappointments.
Spiritual Journey
Many Pandits mostly belong to the Brahmin families and have a long tradition of priesthood in their lineage. For these individuals, the path to becoming a Pandit is almost a matter of familial inheritance. “One has to devote themselves in service to a Sadhguru, to attain mastery as a Pandit,” says Pandit Varun Tripathi from Mumbai. He further explains how students enrol themselves in Gurukuls at places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Chitrakut, or at the banks of river Narmada to study this field in depth. “It’s all a matter of practice and your faith in the divine which determines how much time you take to become a Pandit” he adds.
Misconceptions Galore
Bollywood’s portrayal of Pandits, often negative and stereotypical, has tarnished their reputation. Once revered, they are now viewed with suspicion, accused of being greedy money mongers who exploit poor clients and damage the perception of Vedic sciences and astrology in India. “Knowledge is never bad. It’s the intention of the person exercising his knowledge which can be judged as good or bad” says Praveen Vishwakarma, a Vaastu expert and consultant from Mumbai. “Often people expect a Pandit to be a fortune-teller, even if he or she makes it clear that it is not their expertise, people are still persistent with their demands,” says Mehra. So eventually the Pandit has to do things which are out of his or her ambit of knowledge, leading to disappointments.
While this is not a justification for the malpractices being conducted in the name of religion and faith, a valid point to consider, as per Vishwakarma is, “Pandits spend a lifetime learning difficult Sanskrit shlokas but they are often belittled and not respected enough for the knowledge they possess.”
He further adds that what Pandits do is intangible as a service but neither there is a tangible justified remuneration nor appreciation for their efforts. Many Pandits suffer a financial plight because they are expected to rely on bhiksha (alms) from the community. While this was once a sustainable practice due to the frequency of pujas and ample work, the rising cost of living today makes it increasingly unfeasible. “People may spend loads on DJs, food and alcohol during any celebration, it’s always the Pandit who is expected to charge the least, even though he forms the backbone of such rituals” adds Pt. Tripathi.
In the world of Indian spirituality, a few rotten apples shouldn’t spoil the whole harvest, especially the Pandit who preserves the valuable knowledge of the Shastras and Vedic scriptures. So, when choosing someone for your puja, it’s important to be discerning and seek out the true guardians of this rich tradition.
"One has to devote themselves in service to a Sadhguru, to attain mastery as a Pandit.”— Pandit Varun TripathI
"Getting genuine Pandits in a city like Mumbai gets tougher during festivals like Ganpati.” — Karunashankar Tiwari, corporate employee
"Often people expect a Pandit to be fortune-tellers, even if he or she makes it clear that it is not their expertise.”— Dimple Mehra, fortune-teller and tarot column writer
"Knowledge is never bad. It's the intention of the person exercising his knowledge which can be judged as good or bad.”— Praveen Vishwakarma, Vaastu expert and consultant
"Knowledge is never bad. It's the intention of the person exercising his knowledge which can be judged as good or bad.”— Praveen Vishwakarma, Vaastu expert and consultant
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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