Huligi Temple

Image courtesy of Devaney

Visiting our first temple together on October 7 in Koppal added more shape to the story of the Devadasi we’ve been forming in our minds. Huligi temple is one where many Devadasi dedications have taken place in the past, and possibly even today under secrecy since the law now prohibits it. The temple gave us a visual in attempting to picture the lives of the women we’ve been speaking to and learning from.

Approaching the temple, we enjoyed the sight of shops selling prayer beads and pictures of various goddesses. Once outside the entrance, we left our shoes and walked inside noticing the colorful goddess figures decorating the entire area. I was excited to finally experience a Hindu temple, yet at the same time I felt a bit hesitant. The temple is a sacred Hindu space, so I wasn’t quite sure if I belonged. Regardless, we continued the journey through, noticing the price board for religious services ranging anywhere from the cost of marriage to the most simple or the most expensive. Then, we filed through a small room to see the deity while noticing the old stone carvings on the walls and watching closely and silently out of respect as others around us gave gifts to the goddess. Before exiting the space housing the goddess, we spoke with one of the religious leaders at the temple, who would have traditionally been the person to officiate the dedication of a Devadasi. Though we were thankful for his honesty to some of our few quick questions about the Devadasi system, we still felt as though he may have been withholding certain things.

Image courtesy of Devaney

Before leaving the temple, we walked further down a path to a large river which has also been traditionally used in the dedication of Devadasis. Many of us walked to the bank of the river and stood with our feet in the water, enjoying its grandeur, avoiding the garbage as best we could, and observing the people around us. It was at this moment when I most felt how sacred and rich in history the place was. I stood and watched, and soaked it all in.