Mangaluru: The second year of PU students from the Dakshina Kannada district has become the first woman in the Purohits family to carry out priesthood tasks during marriage and religious functions.
Rarely find women’s priests in temples or other religious forums even though there is no such ban in the scriptures.
However, Anagha’s 17-year-old Bhat from Dasakodi Village on Bantwal Taluk found the road easier when his father and priest, Kashekodi Sooryanayana Bhat encouraged him to learn Sanskrit and Vedas and help him become a priest in his right.
In fact, it was Mastervayoore Bhat’s grandfather, who repeatedly asked a young Anagha, why he was not interested in studying Vedas.
Years later, he fulfilled his grandfather’s desire and studied the Vedas from his father.
He has helped his father for two years in an enjoyment and performed rituals in other religious events, in addition to taking independent assignments as Purohit under the eyes who witnessed his father.
PU students said he was “very happy” that people insisted he led rituals in religious events.
“I was born and grew up in the Purohits family.
All in our family, without exception, encouraged me to learn Sanskrit, Vedas and become Purohit.
I have learned 15 Suktas of Rig Vedas and Rudrapaata from Yajur Vedas from my father,” added teenagers.
His father Soryanayana Bhat said there was no limit to women from learning Vedas and other rituals.