Widows take part in Puja and Offered Colorful Saris at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple – Bold Move

The condition of Hindu widows in many parts of India are not encouraging (in many cases it is pathetic). The saddest part is that society takes out color and happiness from their life and are not allow to take part in important rituals, celebrations and pujas in homes and temples. This Navratri, Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple near Mangalore in Karnataka took a bold initiative by inviting widows to take part in puja and participate in Chandika homa. They were also offered sarees, bangles, vermillion and flowers.

Deccan Herald Reports
As many as 2,300 widows from the coastal districts were offered sarees and other articles that are associated with marriage hood, as the ‘prasada’ of goddess. In addition to distributing various articles, the widows were also allowed to take part in ‘Chandika Homa’ and also pull the silver chariot adorned by the presiding deity Gokarnanatha and goddess Annapoorneshwari. 

The participation of widows in the Dasara festivities, wherein they were accorded utmost respect, and the offering of prayers to goddess Shakti added a new dimension to Navaratri celebrations this year.

More and more temples and spiritual organizations should come forward to help the widows and to remove the taboo. The best step and solution is to help them attain financial freedom.

Related

The Story of Hindu Widows - Radio program and article by Dheera Sujan

Study on Widows in Vrindavan – Dimensions of Deprivation: Study on the Poverty Levels of Widows of Vrindavan

Why Hindu Widows Wear White Dress?

Reformation in Hindu Society is the need of the hour