A temple
where upper castes bow to Dalits
By Asit Srivastava, Lucknow, March 25, 2010:
Stories of socially marginalised people not being allowed into
places of worship are common in India. In such a scenario, a Dalit
family presiding over an Uttar Pradesh temple for ages is nothing
short of exemplary.
It's only Dalits who have been priests of the Kali Mata temple,
dedicated to goddess Durga, in Lakhna town in Etawah, some 300
km from Lucknow, ever since the shrine came up around 200 years
ago.
"Caste divisions and discrimination may not have given Dalits
a place of respectability in society, but here as priests they
are revered," Ram Dular Rajbhar, who owns a grocery store
in the town, told IANS on phone.
"Be it Brahmins, Thakurs or people from any of the other
higher castes, after coming inside the temple, all have to bow
before the Dalit priests and touch their feet. For others it may
be surprising, but it has become a custom for us," he added.
Situated along the banks of the Yamuna river, the temple is sought
after by the residents of Lakhna town for holding marriages, 'mundan'
(tonsure ceremony of Hindu children) or other rituals particularly
performed by Brahmins or members of the upper caste.
"It's not just a temple. It's a place that is an example
of social equality," said Umesh Dixit, who owns several garment
shops in Lakhna town.
"People in Lakhna also approach the priests to name their
babies as it is believed that names given by Dalit priests would
bring good luck and prosperity to the children and their families,"
he added.
According to locals, there's a story behind the custom of Dalit
priests. They say King Jaipal Singh, who got the temple constructed,
made it mandatory that the priest of the temple would only be
a Dalit.
"While the construction of the temple was under way, Jaipal
Singh noticed a Dalit labourer, Chhotelal, was being assaulted
by a group of upper caste people for touching the idol that was
to be placed inside the temple," said another resident Ram
Raksha Pandey, who owns an eating joint in Lakhna.
"Jaipalji soon intervened in the matter and said only Chhotelal
and his family would be taking care of the temple after its construction.
Since then, the practice has been alive," he added.
At present two brothers, Ashok Kumar, 43, and Akhilesh Kumar,
45, who are fourth generation descendants of Chhotelal are the
priests at the temple.
--IANS
http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-76839.html
