01-09-2006, 10:21 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->2005-Dec-30
http://www.hindunet.com/onps/showarticle.p...=6&ag=5&a=21144
<b>Harijans in Kota are working as priests </b>
JAIPUR,DECEMBER 30: Facing upper caste Brahmin priests' refusal to perform rituals for them on auspicious occasions, Harijans in Kota have found a way out for themselves. Some of them have trained themselves to perform Hindu rituals and are working as priests for the community.
Till a decade back, Harijans in the Rajasthan district had to perform auspicious work without the services of Brahmin priests. Even marriages were performed without priests and Harijan couples used to walk around the sacred fire in the presence of the Samaj Guru. But then a Harijan, Nathulal Verma, decided to learn the Hindu Karamkands and cater to the needs of his community. <b>He learned the rites and rituals from a local priest associated with the Arya Samaj.</b>
Once Verma started working as a priest, others followed his example. At present, there are close to a dozen Harijan priests in the city and they have encouraged others to take up priesthood as a profession. Now, these trained Harijan priests proudly conduct marriages and other auspicious actions for their community. Though the acceptability of the Harijan priests is still limited to their community and to some other scheduled castes, their taking up the job has been a great relief to castes traditionally considered untouchable.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
http://www.hindunet.com/onps/showarticle.p...=6&ag=5&a=21144
<b>Harijans in Kota are working as priests </b>
JAIPUR,DECEMBER 30: Facing upper caste Brahmin priests' refusal to perform rituals for them on auspicious occasions, Harijans in Kota have found a way out for themselves. Some of them have trained themselves to perform Hindu rituals and are working as priests for the community.
Till a decade back, Harijans in the Rajasthan district had to perform auspicious work without the services of Brahmin priests. Even marriages were performed without priests and Harijan couples used to walk around the sacred fire in the presence of the Samaj Guru. But then a Harijan, Nathulal Verma, decided to learn the Hindu Karamkands and cater to the needs of his community. <b>He learned the rites and rituals from a local priest associated with the Arya Samaj.</b>
Once Verma started working as a priest, others followed his example. At present, there are close to a dozen Harijan priests in the city and they have encouraged others to take up priesthood as a profession. Now, these trained Harijan priests proudly conduct marriages and other auspicious actions for their community. Though the acceptability of the Harijan priests is still limited to their community and to some other scheduled castes, their taking up the job has been a great relief to castes traditionally considered untouchable.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->