The Temple and Women’s Periods

Last updated on: April 28, 2016 at 6:30 am by Ambaa Choate

The Temple and Women’s Periods 2016-04-27T13:34:49-04:00 Ambaa Choate

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This is not really a subject I ever planned to talk about. But now I realize that I’m not the only one who is questioning tradition on this issue. So I think I need to admit my feelings about it.

Okay, to back up for a moment, tradition dictates that a woman is ritually “unclean” during her menstrual period and does not go to the temple or worship during those times when she is bleeding.

However, I will admit that I have never followed this rule. I don’t think it’s anyone’s business but mine when I’m on my period. I also cannot get on board with the idea that this natural process of my body is in any way unclean, dirty, or bad. So yes, I do still go to temple even when I’m on my period (don’t tell on me!)

Hinduism is not the only religion with this particular taboo. A lot of older cultures connect periods with ritual uncleanness. And while I usually respect ancient traditions and trust that there are good reasons, this one is something that I think needs modernizing.

There are reasons people will bring up for this. But honestly, they all sound like excuses to me. Here are some examples:

Women in ancient times worked very hard and needed to be given an religious reason to rest. Okay, but in the society I live in I am trusted to make decisions about what I can and can’t handle at any given time. It doesn’t have to be forced on me from the outside.
Some people speak of their grandmothers telling them that periods are inauspicious and are a curse. There’s a lot of superstition wrapped up in it and I cannot accept the idea that the processes of our body are a curse. The Gods made us this way and this beautiful cycle is what creates life.
It’s worked for the culture for centuries, so why mess with it? I think there’s a problem when we don’t know the reasons behind a tradition and just blindly follow it. Also, the world is changing and is extremely different now than it was a thousand years ago. Things don’t necessarily keep working forever.
The tradition appears to come from Manusmriti, which is not acknowledged as a religious text or mandate. Some people follow the cultural rules in it and others (like me) do not believe that it has any authority over Hinduism.

So I think it comes down to your decision, ladies. As of yet there is no one standing at the door checking your underwear for blood (there is actually a dude who wants to create some kind of period-detecting machine to keep us out!). You have to decide if you want to go with tradition on this one or not. As I said, I do not. I believe that my menstrual cycle is no one’s business but mine!

Further Reading:

To get a Hindu male perspective on this, I really found this article insightful: Can a Female Enter a Temple or Perform Puja During Periods?

A very detailed and well researched article: Three Days of Impurity: Menstruation and (In)Auspiciousness

A young Indian woman’s perspective: My Country’s Problem with Menstruation

Menstrual Taboo – Why Girls Can’t Go To Temple During Menstruation?

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going to temple on period

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