A large number of widows were allowed on Thursday to perform Lakshmi Pooja (workship) on the occasion of Deepavali in the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple – established in the city by social reformer Narayana Guru and renovated by Senior Congress Leader B. Janardhana Poojary. Allowing widows to do the pooja is among a string of measures taken by the temple aimed at social reformation. The temple has, earlier appointed widows, a couple of them from Dalit communities, as priests.
Around 2,000 widows from Mangalore and other parts of the state participated in the programme. They were brought into the temple in a procession accompanied by beating of drums and other musical instruments. Three widows, who are priests at the temple, performed the Laxmi Pooja. These women then pulled the silver chariot carrying the presiding deity around the temple.
“These women have been denied opportunity to do poojas as they have lost their husbands. We are providing them the opportunity to do Pooja of deities here. This is necessary to restore the divine position that women hold,” said Senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary, on behalf of the Temple Trust.
“There have been criticisms about the measures taken by the temple. But we have not cared and gone ahead with our programmes. I am blessed to see such a revolutionary activity here. We want to be example for others,” Mr. Poojary said.
Indira, Lakshmi and Chandravati, the three priests at the temple, performed Lakshmi Pooja that was witnessed by the large number of widows gathered in the temple. After the pooja, widows were allowed to perform ‘Aarati’. The women priests sat along with idols of presiding deity on the silver chariot that was taken around sanctum sactorum by these women three times.
Solace
It was unforgettable day for Vasanti and Revati, who were among the many women, who performed the pooja. “I have attended many rituals where in I had to stand separated from others. I am blessed to be at a event where we are brought in the forefront of the ritual,” Ms. Vasant said while trying to overcome her emotions.
Revati said it has been this temple that has provided all the strength to fight odds. “I have gone through a lot of difficulties to bring up the family after losing my husband nine years ago. It is here that I have found solace and confidence to fight against odds,” she said.
This is not the first time widows have been involved in the rituals in the temple believes in “One caste one religion one god” philosophy advocated by Narayana Guru. Three years ago a large number of widows performed Chandika Homa at the temple. The temple has also appointed six widows, which includes two from Dalit community, as priests. These women have also been given opportunity to do poojas of Nava Durga idols during the Navaratri.
Mangalore City Corporation Mayor Mahabala Marla and MLA J.R. Lobo attend the event.