Saurashtra, these days, is witnessing a story of social change, scripted by women who have ventured into doing something that has been a male domain for ages. Some women volunteers of Gayatri Parivar have been solemnising marriages, normally done by a Brahmin man.
Normally, Gor Maharaj, a Brahmin, is the priest who solemnises weddings for Hindus _ whether the couples belong to Brahmin, Patel, Vaishnabv or Nagar community. But no longer it is a monopoly for him!
The Gayatri Parivar volunteers are not only doing the rituals but they are doing it so meticulously that their work is believed to have broken the gender bias.
Founded by Pandit Shiram Sharma Acharya, Gayatri Parivar has its headquarters at Shantikunj in Haridwar. It has been recognised world over as a model of the divine society in the 21st century.
In December last year, when Vimal Dhami decided on his daughter Vaisashavi’s wedding, he invited the Gayatri Parivar group. Saroj Mistry and her 10-member group from Jamnagar and Rajkot led the couple throughout all rituals. Since then, the group has solemnisd three marriages in Rajkot.
“When I came to know about this group, I asked myself: why cannot a woman solemise a wedding? I decided to call the group for daughter’s marriage,’’ says Dhami.
The group consists of about 10 women. All of them together recite the slokas, explain their meanings in Gujarati, and complete all the rituals. What is more important is that they are voluntarily rendering their services, which in a way cuts down the expenses on the rituals.
According to Dhami, it is by one’s karma (work) that he or she becomes a Brahmin, not by birth. “Though the Veda says that it is the Brahmin’s job, why not a woman can do it so far as she adopts to all the principles?’’ he says,adding that the group does the work for just Rs 500.
What inspired the group to take up the job?
“According to Manushruti, it was Ila, daughter of rishi Manu, who performed yagna for her father. We just want to carry forward what Ila had done in the ancient times,’’ says Saroj Mistry. Her group includes volunteers like Rama Thumar, Beena Bhatt, Rama Gujarati, Ila Yadav and Nutan Samarjit.
It was Ghanshyam Thakker, a volunteer of Gayarti Parivar from Rajkot, who took the initiative to allow women the job. “We organised a training for interested volunteers,’’ says Thakkar.
Besides conducting marriages, the group members also spread the message of doing away with social maladies like dowry system. They gift the bride a set of books, including a copy of the Upnishad.
“When a newly married girl is in new place, the reading of good books can be a source of moral support,’’ says Thakkar.
Next on their agenda is to perform ‘antiyasthi’ (last rites). “We got a chance to get involved in antiyasthi a couple of times. Like marriage ceremonies, here too, we want women to find their place,’’ says Thakkar.
Courtesy : Expressindia.com
Normally, Gor Maharaj, a Brahmin, is the priest who solemnises weddings for Hindus _ whether the couples belong to Brahmin, Patel, Vaishnabv or Nagar community. But no longer it is a monopoly for him!
The Gayatri Parivar volunteers are not only doing the rituals but they are doing it so meticulously that their work is believed to have broken the gender bias.
Founded by Pandit Shiram Sharma Acharya, Gayatri Parivar has its headquarters at Shantikunj in Haridwar. It has been recognised world over as a model of the divine society in the 21st century.
In December last year, when Vimal Dhami decided on his daughter Vaisashavi’s wedding, he invited the Gayatri Parivar group. Saroj Mistry and her 10-member group from Jamnagar and Rajkot led the couple throughout all rituals. Since then, the group has solemnisd three marriages in Rajkot.
“When I came to know about this group, I asked myself: why cannot a woman solemise a wedding? I decided to call the group for daughter’s marriage,’’ says Dhami.
The group consists of about 10 women. All of them together recite the slokas, explain their meanings in Gujarati, and complete all the rituals. What is more important is that they are voluntarily rendering their services, which in a way cuts down the expenses on the rituals.
According to Dhami, it is by one’s karma (work) that he or she becomes a Brahmin, not by birth. “Though the Veda says that it is the Brahmin’s job, why not a woman can do it so far as she adopts to all the principles?’’ he says,adding that the group does the work for just Rs 500.
What inspired the group to take up the job?
“According to Manushruti, it was Ila, daughter of rishi Manu, who performed yagna for her father. We just want to carry forward what Ila had done in the ancient times,’’ says Saroj Mistry. Her group includes volunteers like Rama Thumar, Beena Bhatt, Rama Gujarati, Ila Yadav and Nutan Samarjit.
It was Ghanshyam Thakker, a volunteer of Gayarti Parivar from Rajkot, who took the initiative to allow women the job. “We organised a training for interested volunteers,’’ says Thakkar.
Besides conducting marriages, the group members also spread the message of doing away with social maladies like dowry system. They gift the bride a set of books, including a copy of the Upnishad.
“When a newly married girl is in new place, the reading of good books can be a source of moral support,’’ says Thakkar.
Next on their agenda is to perform ‘antiyasthi’ (last rites). “We got a chance to get involved in antiyasthi a couple of times. Like marriage ceremonies, here too, we want women to find their place,’’ says Thakkar.
Courtesy : Expressindia.com