Devadasis

      Temple  Girls or Devadasis taking rest. These class of women/girls were dedicated/married to the temple deities to which they are attached while being young. Since, they are married to God they cannot marry any mortals. They Sang/Danced in front of their deities and became expert in their singing/dancing. They had their own God fathers who were mainly from feudal/zamindars/mirasdars/high caste groups who patronised them. The  development of the  community of Devadasis gained momentum after the fall of Buddhism and ascendency of Hinduism in the  8th  century.  During the period of  Cholas  it was established and it is said Brahdeeswarar Temple at one time had hundred of Devadasis. The system was mostly present in South India especially in the  states of Maharastra, Karnataka, Andhra and Tamilnadu. The cruel
system was abolished in Madras state  in 1947 and all over India in 1988.

Pic  bm archives

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