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  • Essay / Devadasi in India - 1280

    This article will discuss the Varnasrama dharma (caste system) in India and examine the practice of Devadasi in Hinduism. Emphasis will be placed on the history of the caste system and Devadasi practice, examining how it developed in India during the rule of the Chola Empire. The focus will be on the religious aspect of the practice, particularly how Devadasi became an auspicious part of the Hindu culture that developed throughout South India. The article will also examine the political side of India and how, over time, the practice of Devadasi became less auspicious and was used to exploit women under the new regime, until the practice was abolished in the 19th century. There will be a discussion on the different caste groups in India and how Devadasi girls are economically dependent on this religious practice to survive in India. Looking in more detail at the changes from the auspicious practices of the temple to low-level prostitution and how the practice of devoting oneself to God became less religious and more corrupt. Finally, concluding with Devadasi in the present day and how political changes in India have erased this particular ritual by enforcing laws against prostitution, while investigating poverty and sexual relations in the lower caste regions of India and on human rights issues and examining whether this practice is still present in India today. To begin this article, it is only right to give a brief explanation of the history of Hinduism in India and the complexities of the caste system to understand the practice of Devadasi. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions which developed around 2000 BC in a village called Harappa near the Indus River. Around the time of 1900 BC, the Harappan people fled from this land and it was invaded by the Aryans. The Aryans a...... middle of paper ......88-115, The President and Fellows of Harvard collage, accessed 03/19/2011Orr, Leslie. (2000), Donors, Devotees and Daughters of God in Medieval Talmilnadu, Oxford University Press, OxfordOrchard, Terena, (2007), The Impact of Gender and Tradition on Sexuality and Relationships for Devadasi Sex Workers in rural India, Sexuality and culture Vol. 11, No 1 pg3-27 BCCentre for excellence In HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada accessed 03/16/2011Smith, K, Brian. (1994) Classifying the Universe, Ancient Indian Varna Systems, and the Origins of Caste, Oxford University Press, New York Torri, Constanza, Maria. (2009) Journal of International women's Studies, Abuse of the lower caste system in India Vol 11, access 03/14/2011 Vanamamalai, N, (1974) State and religion in the Chola empire, Taxation for the Thanjuvur temple, Social Scientist , Vol 3 pg26 -42, access 19/03/2011