Continuing with the reformatory measures the Gokarnanatha temple, established by social reformer Narayana Guru, gave way to a large number of widows to perform Laxmi Pooja on the occasion of Deepavali.
Around 1,000 women from the city and other parts of the state took part in the ritual.
“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.
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These women were welcomed into the temple by beating of drums. They were all allowed to offer poojas to Goddess Lakshmi and other deities. Mangalore City Corporation Mayor Mahabala Marla attended the event.
This is not the first time these women have participated in rituals in this temple that believes in “One caste, one religion, one god” philosophy advocated by Narayana Guru.
The temple has allowed these women to perform Pooja of Navadurga idols installed at the temple during the Navaratri festival.
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