No gender, caste bias in temple priests — Here's how it became possible in Tamil Nadu

Initially, six schools were set up to train youth from all castes in both "Shaiva" and "Vaishnava Agamas" at different temple towns in the state. In 2015, the Supreme Court upheld the government's order, marking a significant success for the Dravidian movement.

On August 14, 2021, the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu broke caste barriers by appointing 24 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Dalits, who had received training in the "Agamas," as "Archakas" (priests) to various temples to perform rituals. This appointment came after a 13-year-long wait since they completed their "Agamic" training.

Chief Minister MK Stalin handed over the appointment orders to the "Archakas" at an event organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in Chennai.

Among the 24 "Archakas," five are from Scheduled Castes (SC), six from Most Backward Classes (MBC), 12 from Backward Classes, and one from a non-Brahmin forward caste community.

Stalin tweeted, "I have fulfilled Kalaignar's (former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi) order today to help achieve Periyar's objective" after the function.

These "Archakas" were appointed to temples, including the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, the Oppiliappan Temple in Kumbakonam, the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple in Madurai, and the Vayalur Murugan Temple.

The newly appointed "Archakas" had undergone training in the "Thirukovil Archakar Payirchi Pallis," which are schools designed to train priests to perform rituals in Hindu temples according to their respective "Agamas."

Stalin was elated that this occasion coincided with the new DMK government completing 100 days in office since he assumed the role of Chief Minister on May 7, 2021. Additionally, he handed over appointment letters to 184 others, including some traditional Brahmin priests and "Oduvars" (temple singers), including a woman, to fill various vacancies in different temples in Tamil Nadu.

This historic move marked the DMK's shattering of another glass ceiling by appointing "Archakas" from all castes, a move described by Stalin as "removing a thorn in the heart" of the late social reformer Periyar. This action was in fulfilment of Periyar's vision that individuals from all castes, trained in the "Agamas," should become priests, countering Brahmin domination of temple priesthood that had persisted for centuries.

Three women who completed their training in priest training centres were given appointment orders on August 12.

Stalin expressed his views on this development, stating, "Despite women's achievements as pilots and astronauts, they were barred from the sacred role of temple priests, deemed impure, even in the temples for female deities. But change is finally here! In Tamil Nadu, as our Dravidian Model Government appointed people of all castes as priests, women are also now stepping into the sanctums, bringing a new era of inclusivity and equality."

Under a state program aimed at suitable training and appointing individuals from all castes as priests, these three women completed their training at the "Archakar" (priest) Training School run by the Sri Ranganathar temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli. Additionally, women already officiate as priests (Othuvargal) in some temples in the state.

When asked about her new role as a priest, Ranjitha, who recently completed her training, said, "My parents are farmers. I completed my Viscom degree and had an interest in becoming a priest in the Temple, so I joined a priest training centre in Srirangam. I completed the course, and I will undergo one year of training in a nearby temple. We feel proud that people of all castes are now allowed to perform poojas for the deities."