"We are a cursed community. Men use us and throw us away," she says. Applying talcum powder to her daughter's face and tying ribbons to her hair, she says: "I am going to die soon and then who will look after her?"
- Parvatamma, a Devadasi in Mumbai
There is a practice in India, which although outlawed, is prevalent. Families give their daughters to the goddess Yellamma, the Hindu goddess of fertility. In ancient times, the practice was instituted to dedicate young girls, often wealthy, to local temples. They would be married only to the goddess and then take care of the temple. In addition, they would perform for wealthy locals in arts and dancing. This practice continued for centuries, but the Devadasi came to be used as mistresses of the Brahmin or other rich patrons. Essentially now the Devadasi are treated as prostitutes, who serve the temple and their sexual services are treated like having sex with the goddess. The Devadasi cannot leave their profession; they are considered unclean and untouchable by society and have no other life opportunity open to them. Once dedicated to the temple, they are sex slaves for life; often their children are too.
http://www.oodegr.com/english/anatolikes/indouismos/devadasis.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/8008562/Indias-prostitutes-of-God.html
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