A friend sent me a link to Guardian article on Devdasi of Southern India. The young girls and women are sold or given away to please men sexually, under the guise of religiosity. These women's fate is permanently sealed with either ostracism, mutilation, diseases, begging or all. When one gives them a lofty name of Devdasis (Gods' maid-servants), one need suffer no guilt.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/21/devadasi-india-sex-work-religion?intcmp=239
This reminds me of the similar custom of olden Gujarat province in India. During the reigns of Bhimdev I and Siddhraj Solanki, the beautiful young virgins, who were trained dancers, were donated by the parents to Shiva temples to dance exclusively for lord Shiva. They were called "Shivnirmalya" शिवनिर्माल्य. No mortal man including kings could touch or marry her. However, one such girl Chauladevi, historically, did marry king Bhimdev I. Perhaps, an act of defiance and perhaps, a life riddled with guilt.
One need not wonder why lord Shiva if one knew the idolic representation of this god.
This tradition was not very different from the system of Vestal virgins of ancient Rome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestal_virgins
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/21/devadasi-india-sex-work-religion?intcmp=239
This reminds me of the similar custom of olden Gujarat province in India. During the reigns of Bhimdev I and Siddhraj Solanki, the beautiful young virgins, who were trained dancers, were donated by the parents to Shiva temples to dance exclusively for lord Shiva. They were called "Shivnirmalya" शिवनिर्माल्य. No mortal man including kings could touch or marry her. However, one such girl Chauladevi, historically, did marry king Bhimdev I. Perhaps, an act of defiance and perhaps, a life riddled with guilt.
One need not wonder why lord Shiva if one knew the idolic representation of this god.
This tradition was not very different from the system of Vestal virgins of ancient Rome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestal_virgins
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Depiction of Vestal Virgin |
I wonder how strict was the adherance in either system.
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