Is Devadasi system good?

Back in 2006, the National Commission for Women had found between 44,000 and 2,50,000 Devadasis in India. Most of them lived in Karnataka, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. As depicted in the earliest known sources of the Devadasi system, the women selected to marry the deity were highly respected.

Why was Devadasi system opposed?

The law was passed in the Madras Presidency and gave devadasis the legal right to marry and made it illegal to dedicate girls to Hindu temples. Some devadasis objected to the bill because they considered themselves sophisticated and learned artists rather than prostitutes.

What do you understand by the Devadasi system?

The Devadasi is a Sanskrit term which means servant of Deva (GOD) or Devi (GODESS). They would be ‘married’ to the deity and after the ceremony they are required to perform useful functions at temples like cleaning of temples, lighting lamps, dressing the deities etc.

How can I become devdasi?

The process of dedicating a Devadasi to the goddess involves a traditional ceremony and is performed before the girl hits puberty. After the ritual she is considered married to the deity and is not allowed to marry a mortal for the rest of her life. The goddess is known by several names including Yellama and Uligamma.

How many Devadasis are there?

The National Commission for Women estimate that there are 48,358 Devadasis currently in India.

Who stopped Devadasi system in Kerala?

The regency was marked by many social reforms in Travancore. In 1925, animal sacrifice was banned in Travancore. In 1926 Sethu Lakshmi Bayi abolished devadasi system.

Does Devadasi system still exist?

The Devadasi system was formally outlawed in all of India in 1988, although some Devadasis still practice the system illegally.

How many Devadasis are there in India?

How did the British view the Devadasis?

The British saw the devadasis’ dances to be very licentious and legally banned them. The British saw the dances to be inappropriate but couldn’t understand or see the ancient religious aspect to it, for years the Indian people had seen it as dances for the gods and the enjoyment of the Brahmin priests.

Are Devadasis Brahmins?

Though they are brahmins by caste, by profession they are brahmins, shudras, Kshatriyas and sometimes vaishyas. They mostly belong to the upper and lower middle class.

What do you mean by devadasi system?

Ans. Devadasi system is practised in various parts of India as per which a young girl is devoted and married to a deity before she reaches puberty. She then acts as a caretaker to the temple and deity she has been devoted to.

Why do people in India still practice the Devadasi tradition?

In India, there still are a few states which continue to practise the Devadasi tradition despite the Supreme Court orders to abolish this system. It is a religious belief that if a family devotes their daughter, it would make the deity happy and bless the family. This is one of the biggest reasons why people still choose to practise this tradition

What is Devadasi marriage and why is it wrong?

Devadasi, literally means “Servant of God”. In this practice, young girls, specially from the “lower castes” are married to an idol, deity or temple. This is done by their parents or guardians themselves to appease the gods. First of all, this marriage on its own is wrong because it is a case of marriage before the age of consent!

How many devadasis are there in India?

They live as sex slaves and are forbidden from marrying anyone. As of 2006, the National Commission for Women estimated that there were 48,358 devadasis in India. But we should not forget that this was only an estimate! Why do they step into this vicious cycle?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIvlCkrPNqY