Arambham

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I am very proud of India’s culture and traditions. There are many good things which one can learn from these traditions, but at the same time, there are certain rituals and traditions which need certain attention. One of the customs is where women and girls are not allowed to enter temples or take part in many religious functions while menstruating. As a child, I was told by the elders in my family that women are not allowed to go near prayer areas while they were on their periods. And I accepted it as wholly as I accept it now (only because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s beliefs and emotions). 

The reason why I’m writing this suddenly is not that I am against any religion or belief or rituals, it’s because my son on Vijayadashami was going to sit for the vidhyarambham ceremony in the temple premise. As Vijayadashami is an auspicious occasion to start formal education of any kindly. And here there is a small mishap at least for me now, which is against my wish and that is the clashing of Vijayadashami with my Menstrual day. We women do not take part in many religious functions during this time, and we have been made to believe that we must follow this. My family and in-laws who are very open-minded and have always counted my happiness first than any other rituals asked me if I would like to initiate the ceremony. But this tradition of impurity has taken so much of a deep root inside me that I would feel guilty if I initiate this or I am scared that my impurity shouldn’t invite God’s wrath on my little son, such as the effect of this tradition.

 The effect of these beliefs is so strong that if any woman dares to challenge them, every attempt will make her feel like a sinner. There might be many justifications for why these restrictions were introduced. I am not challenging that, neither I am provoking. But no temple will get polluted if I accompany my child for his ceremony of vidhyarambham which I have been wanting and dreaming to see even before his birth. How can god be polluted by a touch of a menstruating woman, does that mean a woman during her cycle is more powerful than god? I defy this illogical belief. 



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