Mangalore: Deepavali Reward - Unique Recognition for ‘Widows’ at Kudroli Temple

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore(VD/VA)

Mangalore, Oct 26: On the auspicious occasion of Deepavali, hundreds of widows were felicitated and given recognition at Lord Gokarnanatheshwara Temple in Kudroli here on October 26.

The ceremony was conducted for those widows who could not be present for the similar programme organized by the temple, earlier this month during Dasara on October 3.

The widows participated in 'Chandrika Homa' and joined in pulling a silver chariot around the Temple premises. They even performed 'aarti'.

Also on the occasion, Malathi, wife of Janardhana Poojary, managing trustee of the Temple and the brain behind the idea, took an oath along with other women, to continue performing rituals even after the death of their husbands. They pledged to continue wearing vermillion on their foreheads along with the ‘mangalasutra’(taali).

The main purpose of the ceremony was to bring widows, who are otherwise kept away from auspicious occasions and denied the right to wear certain things after the death of their husbands, to bring about a new message of social reformation.

Speaking to the media persons later, Janardhana Poojary requested the ban of the word ‘widow’ and replace with a word that would reflect the respect they deserve. He urged the Government both at the centre and state to respect all women irrespective of their status and shed narrow-mindedness towards widows. In his message, Poojary said, “A husband never dies. It is only his body that goes away.”

Poojary gifted the women sarees, blouse pieces, Vermilion (kum kum) and sweets (laddoos).

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