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cultural practice. This spiritual dimension of the prostitute is significantly different to the
notion of the prostitute as framed in many western cultures.
The revered status of the prostitute may also be seen in the role of women known as
Devdasis. These women traditionally went to the temple and conducted specific rites and
rituals. Historically, wealth, respect, fortune and status have been historically associated
with them. At puberty they are traditionally married to the Goddess Yallamma. 46 They
conduct prayers, dances and duties in the temple to please her. They are worshiped as the
personification of the Goddess. Neither housewarming nor marriage was traditionally
complete without their presence. However, time has degraded the role of the Devdasis to
something now more associated with entertainment and the fulfilment of sexual desire.
The role of the prostitute in religious rituals can still be witnessed today in an old custom
that takes place every year in the Southern state of Karnataka. In this ritual, over half-amillion
people gather at the Goddess Yallamma’s temple on ‘full moon day’. This
outlawed ceremony of giving away young girls to the service of the Goddess Yallamma is
conducted by eunuchs. Although these young girls end up in the red light district of
Delhi and Mumbai (or other metropolitan cities) they always carry a sign of their
spirituality by wearing a string of red beads around their neck. The string indicates the
belief that these women have in spiritual powers. It reflects the innermost connection of
the human being with spiritual privilege.
The role of the prostitute in Indian religious ritual is a complex one. In Indian tantrik 47
practice, the tantrika (or male practitioner) needs a woman who embodies Shakti. 48
Without making love with Shakti, certain tantrik practices remain incomplete. The
women who take part in these practices are normally prostitutes. These tantrik practices
enable the desires of devotees to come to fruition. However, the prostitutes’ status, while
vital to the rituals, remains that of a pariah. The beneficiaries of these prayers and
practices generally do not acknowledge the spiritual significance of sex workers.
46 The Goddess Yallamma is known for her abundance of strength. She is also known as Jogamma,
Holiyyamma, and Renuka. Her temples are located at Soundathi in the Belgaum district, at Chandraguthi
in the Shimoga district and at Hulgi in the Bellary district of Karnataka State. Her temples can also be
found in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
47 A school of thought in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy that is concerned with powerful ritual acts of
body, speech and mind.
48 Shakti is a Hindi word meaning power.
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