In a groundbreaking development, three young women hailing from Tamil Nadu have achieved a significant milestone by completing their training to become priests. They are now poised to assume roles as assistant priests in temples across the state, effectively shattering the age-old tradition of male-only priesthood.
The names of these trailblazing women are Krishnaveni, S Ramya, and N Ranjitha. They are set to be appointed as assistant priests at temples that fall under the jurisdiction of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, a body managed by the state government of Tamil Nadu.
In a momentous ceremony, Tamil Nadu Minister Sekar Babu personally conferred certificates upon these three women, along with their male counterparts who had successfully completed their training at the Archakar Training School, which operates under the aegis of the Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam.
The initiation of this progressive move dates back to 2021 when the Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) government assumed power in Tamil Nadu. At that time, they introduced a pioneering initiative designed to provide priest training opportunities to individuals from all castes, marking a departure from the previously exclusive practice. Furthermore, the government extended the training offer to women who expressed interest. Krishnaveni, S. Ramya, and N. Ranjitha embraced this opportunity and made history by becoming the first woman to do so.
These courageous women believe that their bold steps will pave the way for countless others who aspire to become priests, thereby fostering inclusivity and empowerment. Speaking to India Today TV, Ramya, who holds an MSc degree from Cuddalore, conveyed, "When the CM announced that even women can become priests, we saw it as an opportunity, as now women are present in all sectors." She acknowledged the initial challenges of the training but expressed unwavering determination, thanking their dedicated teacher, Sundar Bhattar, as well as the government and all their instructors for their unwavering support.
Krishnaveni shared her aspirations of serving as a permanent priests in temples upon completing the practical training period. She stated, "I want to serve God and also serve the people. That's the reason why I chose to do this."
Chief Minister MK Stalin lauded this endeavour as a "Dravidian model of governance," marking a "new era of inclusivity and equality." He noted the historical exclusion of women from the sacred role of temple priests, despite their achievements as pilots and astronauts. He proclaimed, "But change is finally here!" Stalin highlighted the removal of barriers by the Dravidian Model Government, allowing individuals of all castes to assume the role of priests, thus ushering in an era of inclusivity and equality.
The training encompassed a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of priestly duties, including poojas, mantras, and religious rituals.
According to the DMK government, this initiative is geared towards "upholding social justice" and ensuring inclusivity by permitting individuals from diverse castes to undergo training and serve as priests in temples across the state.
Calling this a "revolutionary step forward," Manickam Tagore, the Congress MP representing Virudhunagar, urged the central government to consider implementing a similar program nationwide during the forthcoming special session of Parliament commemorating "75 years of independence and Amrit Kaal."
