Pics by Spoorthi Ullal / Daya Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore(MD)

Mangalore, Oct 23: Breaking the Hindu tradition, a large number of widows offered Lakshmi pooja at Kudroli Gokarnanth Temple in the city on Thursday October 23, commemorating the festival of lights. Three women, who were earlier appointed as archaks (priests) in the temple led the pooja.

“These women are denied opportunity to do poojas, according to the Hindu tradition, as they have lost their husbands. Adopting these revolutionary  methods is to respect women. This is the message of Sri Narayana Guru. It is to make them involve in religious and auspicious occasions. I hope the state and central governments take steps to follow such social reform measures in religious places,” said senior Congress leader and temple chief B Janardhana Poojary.

"Two years ago, 5,000 widows performed Chandika homa. After that, two widows belonging to the backward class, were appointed as archaki's and they were performing the Puja. This year we have appointed two dalit widows as archaki's. Today the world is watching their performance as archaki's. Today is the golden day in the history of India, there is no discrimination against any person.It’s not the first time these women have participated in the rituals here in the temple. Earlier, the temple appointed three women as archakis, among them two belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) community." he added.

Earlier, the three women temple priests – Indhira, Shanthi and Chandravathi were brought in a silver chariot and were accompanied by thousands of
widows. Later, they were all allowed to offer poojas to Goddess Lakshmi and other deities.

Temple trustee Harikrishna Bantwal, Mayor Mahabala Maarla, MLA J R Lobo, advocate Kallige Tharanath Shetty and others were also present on this occasion.