Periods and rituals: A blog
#Periods and Rituals:
Dear Girls, with the onset of the festive season, right from Ganpati to Durga Pooja to Lakshmi Pooja (kojagiri), all women will look forward to participate in all the rituals. However, during the festive season, if we start bleeding, for the next 4 days we will not be able to become a part of the rituals. Hence, there could be some of us, who would go ahead and take medicines either to postpone periods to bring the periods ahead of time. Well, I remember, I had asked my brother, who is a doctor, to give me medicines to delay my periods as I had some travel plans. That’s when he told me , ‘You want to play with your natural system? I am not going to prescribe any.’ Well, he is right. Menstruation is a natural process. Since ages many rituals got associated with it. Menstruating women are not allowed to enter the kitchen, or touch anything. They are not allowed to do anything pious during those 4 days. They have to stay separately, wash their utensils separately by going to a separate sink , wash their clothes separately etc etc. Well, our ancestors were wise. These rituals were initially started because it was important for women to get rest during those days. Hence, no kitchen work or prayer work. Clothes needed to be washed separately because there were no pads during those days. Hence to maintain hygiene and save a woman from embarrassment from visible stains, they were made to stay aloof. However, the rituals became rigid eventually. They became unbearable. In the modern era, where they are proper sanitary stuff for women to maintain hygiene, there is no need to separate them or their utensils or their clothes. Kids need their mother. If a mother is menstruating and her kid runs into the prayer room, the mother cannot go inside and bring the kid outside despite the fact that there is lamp burning inside and its not safe for the toddler to be there. Well, these beliefs, I believe should take a back seat now. A woman should be made to get some rest during periods, however, she should not be made an untouchable.
Talking about festivals, I can’t comment on what others would feel about it, but, I am an ardent devotee of God. I say my prayers every single day. I haven’t missed even a day of my prayers. During festivals, respecting the norms followed by many, I don’t go near the place where the Idols are kept and I don’t touch the things meant for prayers, but I still chant my shlokas, get dressed in proper festive mood and stay happy. I don’t take medicines to stop my periods and play with my hormones. Why should I stop a boon from God? Menstruation is a blessing God has given me. He has given me the power of being a woman and mother. God never stopped me from praying and hence I will continue praying no matter what. Happy festive season girls. Enjoy and pray to your fullest. 😘
