Indian deities like Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakshmi have found their way to Japan where they are worshipped even today, according to a documentary.
Titled "Indian Deities Worshipped in Japan" and made for XPD division of Ministry of External Affairs, the documentary by art historian Benoy K Behl was screened here yesterday.
Behl said he got access to some of the most inaccessible worship places to research and document the shared cultural connection between the two countries.
"People here follow religion and spirituality as a pure science guided by ancient doctrines of Vajrayana, etched in Sanskrit and tracing their roots to Nalanda in Bihar," Behl told PTI.
"How will you feel when a Japanese Buddhist priest tell you that out of all the Gods worshiped in Japan, more than eighty per cent are Indian! Do not be surprised if you see an idol of Goddess Saraswati or Ganesha while adoring the cherry blossoms in the 'Land of Rising Sun'," he added.
The documentary includes filming of around 50 temples in Japan and a strong base of spiritual past it shares with India, merged in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Japanese have kept alive the connection of Saraswati with water, while in India it is primarily associated with music or wisdom, Behl said. In fact in Japan, there are hundreds of shrines to Saraswati alone.
The documentary also showcases representations of Laksmi, Indra, Brahma, Ganesha and other Hindu deities, said Behl, who got access to these sacred places through a fellowship from Japan Foundation and Japanese foreign ministry.
"These places are quite inaccessible for general public and photography is strictly prohibited. But I am grateful to all those 50 temples which opened their doors," he said.
Every monastery in the country has got a 'Beejmantra' there. Although they cannot understand Sanskrit but still they have epithets and Sanskrit symbols which are held in utmost reverence.
He also said that the coming together of Japan and India is a very good sign.
"In fact, Prime Minister Modi on his next visit to Japan will be presenting the Japanese premiere with this documentary edited for Japanese viewing", he said.
