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Devadasi: An Institutionalized Exploitation of Women

A. N. Gayathri , A. N. Gayathri

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Journal of Social Welfare and Management 6(3):p 153-157, July - September 2014. | DOI:

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Abstract

Devadasi literally means God’s female servant, where according to the ancient Indian practice, young pre-ubertal girls are ‘married off’, ‘given away’ in matrimony to God or Local religious deity of the temple. These girls are not allowed to marry, as they were supposedly married to the temple. She ‘serves’ the priests and inmates of the temple, and the Zamindars  and other men of money and power, in the town and village. The ‘service’ given to these men is considered akin to service of God. The Devadasi is dedicated to the service of the temple Deity for life and there is no escape for her. If she wants to escape, the society will not accept her. It is a practice among lower caste people who worship a female deity called ‘Yellamma’ or ‘Huligamma’.  Fear of diseases, curses, and superstitious beliefs force parents to dedicate their daughters to the goddess.  A Devadasi is not allowed to marry, but is expected to satisfy the lust of any man, for that is her religious duty. Hundreds of young women have been devastated by a system that forces them into prostitution.  The children of  Devadasies have no one whom they can rightfully call their father. Objectives: 1. To know the socio-cultural background of the system and how is effecting on  Devadasies. 2. To highlight the social interaction of Devadasies regulated by sanction. 3. To discuss legislative measures to abolish the problem. Method of Study: The study was undertaken collecting information from secondary sources. Many journals, magazines and research articles have been consulted to prepare the paper.

Keywords: Devadasi-God’s female servant; Puranas: Epics; Dalits: Hindu Lower class of untouchables.  

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