The Ancient Practice of Temple Prostitution in India
How the revered ‘Devadasis’ are now left to be mere sex slaves and child prostitutes
Source-Public Domain
The practice of the ‘Devadasi’ system dates back to the 6th or 7th century in India. Devadasi is a Sanskirt word that literally translates to the female slaves of God. The ancient practice of the devadasi system was highly revered and women were subjected to high stature. Highly skilled and literate women were considered to be devadasis of God and submit completely to the almighty.
During the course of time, this sacred practice has been adulterated. The women and children of the lower class have been associated with this practice and they are sexually exploited and carry out prostitution to sustain themselves.
William Dalrymple of the New Yorker has summarized the difference between the devadasis of the past and today as, “There is an almost unimaginable gulf separating the devadasis of ancient poems and inscriptions and the lives lived by women [today]. In the Middle Ages, the devadasis were drawn from the grandest families in the realm — among them, princesses of the Chola royal family — and possibly from slaves captured in war. Many were literate, and some were highly accomplished poets; indeed, at the time they seem to have been among the few literate women in…
