These photos are of actual women who were once Devadasi but have since retired. Some have children, some work as field laborers, and some have benefitted from micro financing. The younger girls pictured either live near the temple or have mothers who are Devadasi.


The practice of "Devadasi" is a system in India in which girls are dedicated to the goddess Yellamma for a lifetime of ritualized prostitution.

"Devadasi" is literally translated as "female servant of god".

The largest concentration of Devadasis are in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (Called Joginis). Approximately 95% of the girls dedicated are from the scheduled caste, or Dalits (untouchables).

Girls to be devoted are washed in a temple tank for ritual cleansing. Their naked bodies are then dressed with garments of Neem leaves to be publically put on display in villages. Upon dedication, red and white beads are tied around a girls neck as a symbol of their consecration. Matted hair is taken as a sign from Goddess Yellamma that the girl was born to be a Devadasi.

After the child reaches puberty she is sent to work as a "religious" prostitute in villages or city brothels. She will live separately in the village and will service men from all castes, despite previously being considered untouchable. Depending on her attractiveness and age she will be paid as little as 50 cents per client. She will service as many as 20 men a day and could very likely contract HIV.

The ancient practice was once considered an honor for a girl as she was trained in song, art and dance. She was a maiden of the temple and could be compared to the Geishas of Japan. However, all semblance of honor has been stripped from the practice and is now considered nothing less than ritualized prostitution, exploitation and trafficking.

The literal act of temple dedication is actually illegal, however the tradition continues due to economic instability, poverty, caste, lack of education, and the fear of battling religion with politics. The children of the Devadasi are brought up fatherless in an environment of peer discrimination. Daughters will almost inevitably end up as Devadasis as the process has largely become hereditary.

One woman described her experience as a Devadasi as follows:

"When I was a child that time many young boys coming at my mother, that time I don't know why they are coming, when I was 10 years old girl my mummy started to explain about the prostitute. People will come and they give lot of money like that she explained me. When I got matured I also started like that total 10 years finished. But I thought this job came from our heredity. So now I have lot problem."

She is now HIV positive.

While the reality of practice is heart-breaking, there have been steps towards eradication and rehabilitation. I have been to villages where large concentrations of ex-Devadasi have retired and attempt to raise their children. They have benefited economically from micro-loans, financial independence and emotional self-empowerment.

To learn more about the Devadasi/Jogini or to help fund a micro-loan/anti-trafficking project in India:

DFN UK: Ritualized Prostitution