SOCIETY

Women foray into priesthood in Gujarat

     Rajkot (Gujarat): Gujarat witnessed a revolutionary ceremony in Rajkot when a few women priests solemnised a marriage. Solemnisation of marriage has all long been a male bastion, both in the state and elsewhere in the country. Only males (Brahmin) have traditionally held the rights to conduct religious ceremonies and marriages. But recently, women priests, chanted hymns from Hindu scriptures to the rhythm of musical instruments, to solemnise the marriage of an hotelier's son here. The women priests claimed to be carrying as the 'rishi' tradition. "When women priests conduct marriage rites, they do not skimp or pad on the prescribed procedures. They are also mostly free of vices, which is a must for the priests. We also adhere to the sacred words and in no way defile or alter them. We consider ourselves the carriers of the 'rishi' tradition," said Shardaben, head of the group. The family of Kirit Kundaliya, groom's father also wholeheartedly subscribed to the 'different' initiation. "Many a times one sees that marriage rites can be wrapped in a few minutes. That timing too varies from ten minutes to almost under an hour. There's no perfect time that one does it in. But these women priests from the 'Gayatri Organisation' told me beforehand itself that they will not oblige to any hurrying up and will take the prescribed time," said Kundaliya. For the bride, Kesha Kundaliya, it was a journey of revelation as she and the groom were not mute witnesses to some garbled chants but led at each step by the women. "In normal ceremonies, the priests just recite the mantras that are there in the wedding ceremony. But in this wedding ceremony, they made us understand the meaning behind each and every mantra. So, it was just great," said Kesha.
-Feb 17, 2007    

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