I heard somewhere (I might be wrong) that in ancient times women were kept in seclusion so that they could get some rest while they were menstruating; they wouldn’t have to perform the heavy chores.

But the society made something completely different out of it. Its so funny.

Its your system and God gave it for a reason. No menstruation = no procreation = no babies.
Don’t these illiterate people understand that ? Where is basic biology?

Have you heard old people say things like “Dont water the plants when you have your period. Dont touch things like pickles o papads because they go bad”

How foolish !

You got cut off right in the middle of what was probably a good point.

The devotees make a mad rush to receive the unique ‘prasad’ which is small bits of cloth, which is supposedly moist with the menstrual fluid of Goddess Kamakhya are distributed .Devotees wear them as amulets as blessings of the mother.
It is considered highly auspicious and powerful.

How can the “sanitary napkin” of the Goddes be pious ?
while a menstruating female is restrained from entering the temples. aint these the same male devotees of Kamakhya devi who restrict a woman from entering a place of worship?
THE FACT IS ———–
sanctum sanctorum of the temple is in the form of a cave, which consists of no image but a natural underground spring. The spring emanates from a fissure in a large rock that symbolizes a yoni. In summertime the water runs red with iron oxide resembling menstrual fluid, an occasion for the Ambubasi festival.
any comments? meenu jain mumbai

I assume most of the women who participate on this site are Hindu and that is why they are targetting the sexism in their own religion. Nothing wrong with that.

It still does not make sense to me that Ayyappa (isn’t he a form of Narayan or Krishna?), would not want women in his temple simply because of a vow of brahmacharya.

I am also practicing brahmacharya at this present point in my life yet I am surrounded by men on a daily basis and am not the least bit bothered.

Surely if a mortal like me can control myself, what to speak of a God???

Again, the term “bachoelor” does not translate into “brahmachari”.

Brahmachari denotes celibacy while “bachelor” implies sexual fun.

Has any female ever entered a mosque and did worship? When was the first woman appointed in Catholic church? These two biggest religions in the world, accounting for more than 2/3 of human race and are totally forgotten. I guess no one can comment against Islam or make a cartoon on Allah but can make fun of poor Ayyappa’s bachelorhood.

As a physician I do ORDER isolation many a time on patients with communicable disease or who is at risk of getting such an infection. This is done to protect them and is done for a purpose. (MRSA, VRE infections, neutropenic precautions if they make any sense to you). I guess this “empowered” women will prosecute me now, under Article 17 for discriminating!! I wish they know a little better about the subject they are talking about. High Priestess has made better comments.

PS: This sarcastic comments made because of similar comments made on a faith (Ayyappa). If you respect others, they will respect. If you make fun of Ayyappa’s bachelorhood and comment of equality, I think it’s a pot calling the kettle black. Explanation always works, making fun or talking with penal code sections, almost never!!!

Priests are not to perform their ablutions and various other temple duties after having sex without thoroughly cleansing themselves. Some are forbidden to have sex while during their cycle of temple service.

There are also taboos against performing priestly activities with a wound that oozes liquid.

The taboo is not just against menstrating women, it’s against the flow of blood and puss in general.

After a woman’s period is over, there is no reason why she can’t function as priest until her next period, just as when a puss-oozing wound is healed, a male priest can again resume his priestly rites.

If India has a lack of female priests, it is not because of their periods, even if that is used as an excuse.

And the word “bachelor” does not mean “brahmachari”. Brahmachari conveys celibacy while “bachelor” just means single guy, and the word conveys alot of sexual activity in the countries where it is used, certainly not celibacy.

I’ve noticed that Indians confuse the two words alot.

That no women are allowed in the temple of Ayyapa, even when NOT menstruating is completely ridiculous and I don’t know why the entire temple staff has not been taken to court yet or why this has not been made an issue in the United Nations.

Indian women UNITE!