Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Dec 17: Continuing with his initiatives to bring the widows, who were so far being discouraged from taking part in auspicious functions, into the mainstream, a large scale programme will be organized under the leadership of former union minister and Congress leader, B Janardhana Poojary, in which the married women will be taking oath of social revolution, on Sunday January 1. They will take a pledge not to follow the age old custom of desisting from wearing certain things that are considered auspicious, and not participating in auspicious occasions after the demise of their husbands. A release said that the programme is being arranged on New Year Day at Sri Gokarnanatha Temple in Kudroli here, to signal the beginning of a new era in the lives of these ladies. 

On this occasion, special Chandika Homa will be organized, and these ladies will be performing Aarati to the Lord. The idol of the presiding deity will be installed in the silver chariot, which will be pulled around the temple by these women. All the women participants of this programme will be presented with saris, blouse pieces, bangles, vermillion and flower as Prasadam of the Lord.

During Navaratri festival this year, the temple witnessed a social revolution in the form of enabling widows to participate in religious ceremonies and worships. About 2,500 widows had taken part in the programme, and they had pulled the silver chariot with the idol of the Lord. During Deepavali too, a programme of puja from these women had been organized at the temple, the release noted.