Swami Saranam

I wish I could be as excited as my 72 year old mother about the #Sabarimala verdict. She's been going to the temple for few years now. She is so happy that she can go with me now. 

I have been there when I was a child. I still remember the energy from the Sanctum Sanctorum and the possibility to see beautiful Lord Ayappa again, is like a long time dream come true.

I'd been vehemently opposing the entry of women into the temple stating there is a reason why we have certain traditions and rituals and should abide by them. And have also proudly stated that I'll wait across multiple arguments, both online and offline. 

My timeline currently is filled with my relatives' rants on how they will die to withhold the sanctity and purity of the temple.

Now, I feel I was wrong. How can a woman's entry into any place make it impure? As an educated, unbiased human, isn't this the right thing? Leave aside what Islam allows or Christianity allows. This is not a matter of faith. This is a matter of bias. Chauvinism. Sexism. 

Women were not allowed to cover their breasts, are still not allowed to lit the funeral pyre, talk about sexual assault - where does this end?

I believe most rituals in Hinduism had some scientific base to it. 

Centuries ago, when the travel to the temple was through forests filled with wild animals, a menstruating woman only meant trouble. The smell of blood would naturally attract the beasts. Also the journey to the temple was both tedious and took days to complete. This is amongst the most sane reasons I've come across so far, for keeping women away.

As a woman of faith, even now, I stay away from temples for those '7 days'. I don't know why I still follow it. I simply do.

I wish I had guts, like my mother. Who says it's high time we relook at all rituals and malpractices from an unbiased, empathetic, humane, lawful and intelligent manner. I wish I could have the courage to sit with her happily and without fear, when she's squinting at the planner to book our tickets to visit Lord Ayappa.