Even as controversy rages over restrictions on women visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala and the Saturn temple at Shani Shinganapur in Maharashtra, they take the pride of place at the Guntigangamma temple in Prakasam district.
For generations, women from the Puchakayala family have been officiating as priests at the temple at Thomavarapadu near East Gangavaram in Tallur mandal. Women in large numbers from across the district visit the temple to offer sweet Pongali to the mother goddess.
While women in the menstrual age are not allowed to visit the Sabarimala temple, they cannot enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Shaneshwara temple near Shirdi, where only men are allowed to perform ‘Abhishekam’ with sesame oil and offer worship for their families.
Continuing the tradition for generations, 32-year-old Puchakayala Vijayalakshmi performs rituals at the Guntigangamma temple, which is managed by the Endowments Department.
Before Ms. Vijayalakshmi, her mother-in-law Nagendramma had donned the role of the priestess, succeeding her mother-in-law Rosamma.
“According to popular belief, the goddess has curing powers. Devotees take the sick and infirm to the temple for cure. People from far and near visit the temple for health, wealth and prosperity and make thanks-giving visits on fulfilment of their wishes,” says the priestess after offering Harati to the goddess.
“Perhaps, Vijayalakshmi is the only woman priest in the hundreds of temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowments Board,” says its Assistant Commissioner V. Srinivasa Reddy. Owing to the growing popularity of the temple, the department is chalking out plans to construct washrooms and other facilities for pilgrims in phases, he adds.
Vijayalakshmi is the only woman priest in the hundreds of temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowments Board.
V. Srinivasa Reddy,
Assistant Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Endowments Board
