Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)

Mysore, Jul 21: B G Indramma, a KAS officer, working as chief accounts officer in Mysore Urban Development Authority, deviated from set Hindu religious procedures, by tonsuring, taking part in rituals connected with the liberation of her deceased father’s soul, and discharging ashes in the river.

Govinde Gowda, a resident of Belagola village in Srirangapatna taluk in the district, had died on June 14. The post-funeral rituals were performed at Balamuri on June 24. Indramma, fourth daughter of Govinde Gowda, got her head shaved and took part in all post-funeral religious procedures. While doing so, she did not let ridicule and criticisms encountered from her own children, relatives and others, who sneered at her decision to break time-honoured tradition, to dishearten her.

As per Hindu scriptures, male members of the family, preferably sons, can alone take part in the post-funeral puja procedures. When the deceased does not have any living sons, close relatives or alternatively, priests, can perform them. Indramma said that none of her relatives had extended a helping hand when her parents were in crisis. She said she does not find anything abnormal in her decision to pay respects to her father after his death.

“I am not against male members of the society. I feel I have done the right thing. I had discharged the ashes of my mother in Varanasi. Now, I have discharged the ashes of my father in Paschima Vahini, Srirangapatna. My husband and children too were opposed to my stand. Some well-wishers supported my decision. I do not care how the society takes it,” she clarified.

Indramma, who has worked in various departments, has been criticized by people who stand by religious traditions. They point out that a Hindu woman can shave her head either to offer her hair to God to fulfill a vow, or upon the death of her husband, and not on any other occasion.