Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: Ganinath Seva Sadan in Golmuri witnessed a revolutionary marriage of sorts when priestesses chanting Vedic mantras conducted the marriage of Pragya Priya and Tapas today. The ceremony was conducted under the aegis of Ananda Marg Pracharak Sangha. Acharya Ramendrananda Avadhoot represented the bridegroom along with other relatives while Ananda Vishnumaya Acharya was the representative from the bride�s marriage entourage.
After repeating the Vedic marriage vows thrice, the couple exchanged garlands. That concluded the simple yet unique marriage conducted by women priests. The newlywed couples received blessings and good wishes from all present.
According to an Ananda Marg Pracharika, the wedding rituals conducted by women priests were meant to eliminate certain social ills like caste, creed, racism and dowry and propagate the cause of inter caste marriages. This, she said, was a revolution while bringing two families together. However, she informed that the consent of both families was required to solemnize marriage.
Ananda Marga Pracharak Sangha’s Avadhutika Vishnumaya said ,�We have to ensure all round development on the mental, spiritual and physical levels. Till today, most religious rituals have been performed by male priests. Today that barrier has been broken. This is another step forward in the move towards women�s empowerment. It is a sin to deprive women of their equal rights because then, society cannot move ahead in the development spheres. Women too have the equal right to pursue mental and spiritual practices. Women should not be made victims of superstitious beliefs and practices.�
