GUWAHATI: Every year, the Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati attracts thousands of devotees from around the world. This ancient festival, held during the Assamese month of Ahaar, celebrates the annual menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolising fertility and the creative power of nature. Despite the reverence for the goddess’s menstrual cycle, menstruating women are traditionally barred from entering the temple during this time, a practice that has sparked debate and curiosity.
The Contradiction:
The question of why menstruating women are prohibited from entering temples, including Kamakhya Temple, while the festival itself celebrates the goddess's menstruation, perplexes many.
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Talking to GPlus, Riya Chakraborty of BK Kakoti Road said, "Why should menstruation bar us from temples? It's discriminatory and outdated," exclaimed Riya, a resident of Guwahati.
Kabita from Zoo Road talking to GPlus said, "We demand equal rights to worship, irrespective of our menstrual cycle."
"Excluding women during menstruation perpetuates stigma and inequality," argued Priya, emphasising the need for a change in traditional practices.
"It's time to challenge these norms and ensure all women can access religious spaces freely," urged Meera, advocating for gender-inclusive policies in temples across Guwahati.
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In Guwahati, women are raising questions about the age-old practice of barring menstruating women from entering temples. They are challenging this tradition, arguing that it perpetuates stigma and discrimination against women based on their biological functions. These women are advocating for equal rights and access to religious spaces, regardless of menstrual status. Their call for change reflects a growing awareness of gender equality issues within religious practices and traditions.
Tradition and Belief:
However, Kabindra Prasad Sharma, the Doloy of Kamakhya Devalaya, explained the longstanding tradition. "This parampara (tradition) has been going on for years and decades, so we should follow it. Even when Maa Kamakhya is menstruating during Ambubachi, we do not enter," he told GPlus. He elaborated that before the menstruation period begins, the goddess is offered a red silk saree and bhog (food offering), after which the temple is closed to all, including priests.
"We do not have the guts to see what's going on inside the temple during these days," Sharma added, emphasising the deep respect and reverence the priests and devotees have for the goddess during her menstruation period.
Another official from Kamakhya Devalaya provided a different perspective, noting that the restriction is not just about perceived impurity but also about scientific and practical reasons. "It is not just about being impure but about scientific reasons why, in these three days, women should rest. Most mothers do not rest; they have to look after their children and home. During their monthly menstruation, they are supposed to rest," he said.
This viewpoint highlights the traditional understanding that menstruation is a time when women need to recuperate, and religious practices enforced this rest period. However, the official also acknowledged the modern challenges that working women face. "Now, if we look at modern working women, they have to work somehow. This cannot be an excuse."
He further noted that some women may feel shy or embarrassed if they get stains, affecting their reputation. "So, they can stay away from all this. But it's not about impurity. It's for their health," he emphasised.
The Cultural Context
Understanding why menstruating women are barred from temples requires a look into the cultural and religious context. In many parts of India, menstruation has traditionally been seen as a time of impurity, not because women themselves are impure, but because the menstrual blood is considered impure. This belief is rooted in ancient texts and traditions that have long governed Hindu practices.
However, the Kamakhya Temple stands as a unique paradox. The temple celebrates the menstruation of a goddess, viewing it as a powerful and sacred phenomenon. Yet, the same natural process in women is often stigmatised. This contradiction underscores the complex interplay between religious tradition and social norms.
Voices of Change
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to challenge and change these traditional views. Activists and some progressive religious leaders argue that menstruation should be normalized and that women should not be barred from places of worship during their periods. They advocate for a more inclusive approach that respects women’s health and dignity without labeling them as impure.
