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For generations now, women have been working towards (read: fighting for) freedoms that have been the privilege of men in patriarchal societies. Some have faced flak, others have inched forward, but they have all persevered and, through their efforts, these freedoms become less elusive to so many Indian women. Femina celebrates these new freedom fighters and their ongoing trysts with destiny
Enshrining History
Meet Kanaka Durga from Kerala who, along with Bindu Ammini, made history by becoming the first woman below 50 in decades to enter the Sabarimala Temple
The Sabarimala Temple, located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, traditionally bans the entry of women of menstruating age. After the Supreme Court ruled in September 2019 to end the ban, Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini successfully entered the temple. A massive protest erupted across the state in protest. Despite the huge protest and uproar, Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini proceeded with their yatra. “Nothing scared me at the time of entry; I strongly believed that the divine power of Sabarimala was protecting me as I am a devotee of Ayyappa too,” recalls Durga, who believes that women’s entry to the temple cannot be stopped.
“Nothing scared me at the time of entry; I strongly believed that the divine power of Sabarimala was protecting me.”
Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini got acquainted over social media; the two met through a Facebook group that is open to women who wish to go to Sabarimala. After having failed at an initial attempt to enter the temple, they planned it again, on a day on which no one expected them to try again. “Our goal was not to attract the media or the crowd so that we could make it into the temple. We settled on a day and time and arrived at the temple and made our way to the shrine before the protesters could make it,” Kanaka Durga recalls of those nail-biting moments. She adds that a universal power creates all – man and woman. God is not partial to any gender. “In the name of faith and practice, certain sections of people are exploiting the weaker sections of society by still using these rituals and false beliefs as a tool. All customs that need to change over time must change,” says Kanaka Durga, who wanted to prove that nothing really happens when a woman of menstrual age enters the templeas is believed in the shastra.
“In the name of faith and practice, certain sections of people are exploiting the weaker sections of society by still using rituals and false beliefs as a tool.”
“My home still observes this practice where we are not allowed to touch anyone, not to touch water or wells, not to enter the kitchen, not to touch any other objects,” says Kanaka Durga, who added that both Bindu Ammini and she faced a lot of threats and attacks over their temple entry. With many women looking forward to entering the temple, the case has been shifted to the supreme court’s consideration. Kanaka Durga is hopeful and looking forward to the changing times.
Also Read: Racing To The Finish: Dutee Chand
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Enshrining History
Meet Kanaka Durga from Kerala who, along with Bindu Ammini, made history by becoming the first woman below 50 in decades to enter the Sabarimala Temple
The Sabarimala Temple, located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, traditionally bans the entry of women of menstruating age. After the Supreme Court ruled in September 2019 to end the ban, Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini successfully entered the temple. A massive protest erupted across the state in protest. Despite the huge protest and uproar, Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini proceeded with their yatra. “Nothing scared me at the time of entry; I strongly believed that the divine power of Sabarimala was protecting me as I am a devotee of Ayyappa too,” recalls Durga, who believes that women’s entry to the temple cannot be stopped.
“Nothing scared me at the time of entry; I strongly believed that the divine power of Sabarimala was protecting me.”
Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini got acquainted over social media; the two met through a Facebook group that is open to women who wish to go to Sabarimala. After having failed at an initial attempt to enter the temple, they planned it again, on a day on which no one expected them to try again. “Our goal was not to attract the media or the crowd so that we could make it into the temple. We settled on a day and time and arrived at the temple and made our way to the shrine before the protesters could make it,” Kanaka Durga recalls of those nail-biting moments. She adds that a universal power creates all – man and woman. God is not partial to any gender. “In the name of faith and practice, certain sections of people are exploiting the weaker sections of society by still using these rituals and false beliefs as a tool. All customs that need to change over time must change,” says Kanaka Durga, who wanted to prove that nothing really happens when a woman of menstrual age enters the templeas is believed in the shastra.
“In the name of faith and practice, certain sections of people are exploiting the weaker sections of society by still using rituals and false beliefs as a tool.”
“My home still observes this practice where we are not allowed to touch anyone, not to touch water or wells, not to enter the kitchen, not to touch any other objects,” says Kanaka Durga, who added that both Bindu Ammini and she faced a lot of threats and attacks over their temple entry. With many women looking forward to entering the temple, the case has been shifted to the supreme court’s consideration. Kanaka Durga is hopeful and looking forward to the changing times.
Also Read: Racing To The Finish: Dutee Chand
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