Is Jogini Culture Still prevalent in India?
Jogini or devadasi is a well-known term in the vocabulary of most of us. It is something that we already have a good idea about. But most of us are unaware of the dark side of this culture, which is still prevalent in India.
A Jogini or Devadasi means the servant of God. Devadasi spent their whole life in worshipping their God. The Devadasi system is a very ancient practice. The practice lost its true motive with time.
History
Since the 7th century, the Devadasi system has been relevant. During the era of Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas, the ajogini culture of the Devadasi system started to become widespread. There are a ton of famous devadasis who have made their name on the bright side of history.
After the arrival of the Britishers in India, the empires were abolished. The true motive of the jogini culture also lost its colour.
Devadasi practices
The Devadasi or jogini culture revolved around the Pottukattu or tali tying ceremony. The pri st of the temple carries out this ceremony.
The Brahminical tradition sees this tali-tying ceremony as a marriage symbol. The who e ceremony was a marital bond between the devadasi and the almighty.
After attaining puberty, the girl marries the emblem of God. The bride and groom are the same emblem. The marriage, or puberty ceremony, was a huge community celebration in the town, and people gladly participated.
How many Devadasis are there in India?
A survey conducted in 2013 by the National Human Rights Commission revealed that there are as many as 450,000 Devadasis in our country. Justice Raghunath Rao led successful research in this direction.
A shocking number of almost 80,000 Devadasi women are active in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana alone.
Social status
Originally there were no stigmas with Devadasis or anyone related to them. Their children were legitimate. Honor in them was very vital. The Jog ni culture was a privileged profession in older times.
Devadasis were Akhanda saubhagyavati. Akhanda subhagyavati means a woman who is inseparable from fortune. These w men were considered immune from widowhood, a huge social stigma for other women in that era. Devadashas have been married to the almighty God. The Devadasis were free from widowhood.
A Devadasis presence at a wedding ceremony was sacred and necessary. At the wedding ceremony, the devadasis gave people a wedding lock. Tali was a household name for these wedding locks. A tali is made from a simple thread with a few beads.
Who abolished the Devadasi system in India?
For years the oppression continued. On 9t October 1947, a bill was enacted. The Ma ras Presidency finally realized the necessity of some new laws. The bill is also known as the Devadasi Abolition Bill.
This bill was needed due to the joint culture's inhumane nature. As the name suggests, the motive of this bill was to abolish the common culture.
Initially, the marriage between a Devadasi and a mortal person was impossible. Things changed after these laws were passed. Devadasi can now freely marry anyone. Along with this, the devadasi system or Jogini culture is now criminalized.
How Devadasis went from having high social status to being sex slaves and child prostitutes?
Devadasi system or Jogini culture was rigid. With me, their situation and status have worsened. This stem accounts back to the time the Britishers colonized India. British ers often failed to distinguish Devadasis from the casual street dancers or women who worked as prostitutes.
With time, the situation of these devadasis has drastically changed. Devadasi nowadays are just sex slaves or child prostitutes to some wealthy men. Devadasi system or Jogini culture is a chain of people destroying these young girls.
The sad truth about them is that most of them belong to the Dalit or some sort of low and oppressed cast. It is nearly impossible for them to free themselves from the chains of the Devadasi culture.
Insight about the family conditions
The parents of young girls force their daughters to go into the profession of a devadasi. The only source of income for these low-income families is their daughters. The families of these devadasis are not even allowed to enter the village. Devadasis are often from lower or oppressed castes.
The family suffers from unemployment because they lack education or skills. They have no other options left other than selling their young daughters. This is the only reason that the joint culture is still relevant. Other than this, these families also work as sewage collectors and street cleaners. Parents ask their landlords or other wealthy men in the town to take away their daughters with them.
This wealthy man returns the families with financial security to some extent. They pay for some or all of the basic needs of the family. The rich man continues to do so until the girls can provide them with sex and pleasure. Some famous devadasis, who initially suffered from these practices, gave the world a deep insight into the filthy system.
Summing
Devadasi system is an inhumane inhuman practice. Why? You might question. Well, there is no doubt in saying that the Devadasi system or the joint culture is a cruel and filthy practice. A few famous devadasis came forward to tell the world about this inhumane practice.
Spreading awareness is the only way through which we can make a difference. Letting these girls know about their rights should be the first step, and the second step is enforcing the first step. We all could make this country a better place for women with small steps.
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