They take oath for a better life

MANGALORE: As many as 5,000 women ushered in the new year on a positive note on not to lead a life in isolation even after the death of thei husbands at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple on Sunday.The oath-taking programme planned in the temple is part of a series of programmes to mark the centennial year of the temple. The women participated in sacred rituals like ‘Chandika Yaga, offered special pooja to Annapoorneshwari and participated in dragging the silver chariot carrying idols of Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.The chariot circled the temple over five times. Later, 11 women symbolically took a pledge on leading normal lives even after the death of their husbands. They declared that none of the marital symbols like karimani would be discarded after the death of their husband.The wearing of Mangalya will continue, as it symbolises her husband’s love and assures her safety. Those who participated in the oath-taking ceremony were provided with saree, bangles, kumkum, turmeric, flower and coins. The programme’s brain child and former Union minister B Janardhana Poojary was present at the programme and was issuing directions at regularly.From interactions with many women, it was found that many were pinning on a social change. Malathi, wife of Janardhana Poojary, rejecting notions on being coerced into participating in the programme said she had voluntarily participated in the rituals. “It is the practice which will definitely dispel blind beliefs about the widows in public,” she stressed.Prema of Panjimogaru revealed that senior members of her family had opposed her participation in the programme. But she had succeeded in convincing them about the objectives of the programme. She said her husband had approved her participation in it. Prema was keen on participating in the programme as had witnessed the ill-treatment of widows.