Making history in puja studies: Jayalakshmi awaits the task of performing puja at a temple

THRISSUR: Jayalakshmi Sadanandan is preparing to become the female presence in the field of pujaris after studying the puja rituals. Jayalakshmi (58), who completed three years of puja studies from an institution approved by the Devaswom Board, has also earned the distinction of being the first woman to achieve such a qualification.

Due to the age limit, she cannot apply for the Devaswom Board's Shanti appointment. Jayalakshmi is confident that she will get the assignment to open a shrine and perform puja rituals.

Although conservatives frowned when Jayalakshmi joined the course, the Bhramasree Koru Asan Smaraka Vaidika Sangham took a bold stand.

The school was established by Vaidikacharyan Thilakan Thantri as a memorial to Gurushishya Koru Aasan, who was one of the priests in the Gurudev Pratishtha ceremonies in Sivagiri. Three women, including Jayalakshmi, came to study, but two withdrew in between. There are three women in the new batch, which is limited to one year. Many of those who studied here are priests in various temples.

Jayalakshmi, daughter of the late Madhavan and Yajnaseni, was the secretary of the SNDP Yoga Edavilangu branch for six years. She is also a good yoga instructor. Her husband is Sadanandan. Akhil (New Zealand) and Athul Anand (Abu Dhabi) are her sons and Dr. Swathi Akhil (New Zealand) is her daughter-in-law.

Tamil Nadu as a model

• Women priests have been serving as priests in the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha temple in Karnataka, established by Sri Narayana Guru, since 2013. Dalit widowed women are also priests here.
• In Tamil Nadu, the government had appointed three women as assistant priests in temples in 2023. They completed their course at the Archakar Training School run by the Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam. Chief Minister Stalin had announced that the government would encourage women priests.

There is no mention anywhere of women being excluded from the priesthood. Vaidika Sangham is proud of the change of thinking and the fact that this issue has been put into practice.

E.K. Lalappan Shanthi,

Secretary,

Bhramasree Koru Asan Smaraka Vaidika Sangham