Challenging Convention One Ritual at a Time

Maahi Shah speaks to five female priests who have been breaking new ground while upholding faith and pursuing a passion for learning

Think of a Hindu wedding ceremony and the first thing, perhaps, that is most likely to come to your mind is the chanting of Sanskrit mantras, the recitation of vows by an actively involved groom with a quiescent bride by his side—all against the backdrop of the sacred fire, performed under the guidance and instruction of a male priest. For centuries, the roles and responsibilities of priesthood have been confined to male priests. Yet, a deep dive into Vedic literature and ancient Indian scriptures give reason to subvert the norms that have been. The history of the Hindu tradition since has seen a welcome change—albeit not without its struggles—with social reformers across the country encouraging the education and training of women to partake and preside over religious rituals. A right monopolised by a few men has been challenged and reclaimed by the other—women who are scholars in the Sanskrit language, wellversed in Vedic scriptures and eager to take on the reigns. Five priestesses talk us through their journeys, challenges and motivations to redefine sexist rituals.

Dr Nandini, Shubhamastu

Dr Nandini has been a student of Sanskrit all her life. It was her knowledge of the language, a perennial curiosity to understand religion, and a somewhat rebellious mind that led her to question her disallowance in the field, and eventually become a priest. “Being a good scholar in the language from a very young age, it occurred to me that Sanskrit bears such a rich tradition of culture and literature, and at present, is not quite accepted by the young generation. I realised that it is only through Sanskrit that Hinduism can be known and understood. So, when my elder daughter was getting married around 2013, I offered to preside over the wedding ceremony myself,” she says. Her daughter’s wedding marked the beginning of a long and cherished journey in priesthood.