In a first, two women priests appointed in a Hindu temple

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In a first, two women priests appointed in a Hindu temple

B.D.Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, Oct 30

Two women priests have been appointed for the first time in a newly commissioned Yogeshwar Srikrishna temple in Pithoragarh. Out of two women priests, one is from Brahmin community while another is from Thakur community, temple committe chairperson Pitambar Awasthi said.

Manjula Awasthi, has been appointed as the chief priest while Suman Bisht has been appointed as her assistant priest.

“The Yogeshwar Srikrishna temple is situated at Sikrani Village of Chandak hill, at the northern part of the Pithoragarh town and was established a year ago,”said Pitambar Awasthi, chairperson and founder of the temple.

“The temple is devotees to Yogeshwar form of ‘Lord Krishna’ where  chanting of ‘Slokas’ of ‘Srimad Bhagwat Gita’ are performed. We are soon to run Yoga classes in the temple campus as Lord Krishna was originator of Karma yoga that gives strength to entire human race, ” said the temple committee chairperson.

According to Awasthi, women are more worthy to priesthood as they keep more fasts and involve more in worship of God round the year.”By appointing women priests in the temple, we have not only broken traditional barriers against women priesthood, but also made the temple open for devotees from all castes,” said Awasthi.

Pitambar Awasthi is well known for his “Beti Bachao, Beti Padao’, campaign which he is running from last 20 years.