:: DEVDASI ::

Untouchable by day, but touchable by night

Devadasi system is a religious practice in parts of southern India, with its spiritual epicenter in Sadautti in Belgaum , Karnataka. They come in mid-January, these women "dedicated to service of god" prepare for `Muthaide Hunnime' in Saundatti, a village in Belgaum district. It is a three-day festival to celebrate the resurrection of Jamadagni, who, tradition dictates, the women are wedded to. Around 2 to 3 lakh people gather at this time. Devdasis system existed in most of the temples. 'DEV' (GOD) 'Dasi' (slave) means marrying god and Goddesses and devoted themselves to them and its rituals for the whole life. Existing from ancient Vedic times, they helped in temple rituals. While a lot of attention is drawn to the Devdasi system with spiritual epicenter in Karnataka, in similar systems in the neighboring state of Maharashtra young girls are dedicated to various gods and goddesses and expected to serve for their lifetime. The dance form declined as devdasis came to be associated with serving men, not god.

When an 11 years old girl child had not attained puberty, all of sudden, for reasons unknown to her, she is made Devdasi. It is a passage to allow her to be used by anyone for sexual enjoyment.. Previously, Devdasis walked naked to the Yellemma temple for the annual gathering. The primitive practice is banned in the state, but the devdasi tradition still thrives in India, with some alteration in the custom. The goddess Yellamma is believed to be an incarnation of Renuka, is a favorite amongst the dalits (the low caste hindus) who seek her protection. Most of the girls many under 10 years,are chosen to become devdasis, meaning handmaidens of the gods, will be dedicated to the goddess in secret ceremonies before being brought to the temple.

Years after the primitive practice was banned in the state, the devdasi tradition still thrives in India. While the celebrations are now conducted in the village, and the process of offering the Devdasis to the Goddess are started in the outskirts. The tradition, which originally required the devdasis to merely maintain the temple premises and assist the priest during rituals, turned into a racket involving sexual gratification and even prostitution.