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VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The Devadasi (Devaradiyar) system in Kanyakumari district: A historical and socio – cultural study
Authors
Dr. A Shahila Banu
Abstract
The Devadasi system,
also known as the Thevaradiyar system, which prevailed in Kanyakumari district
in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, was a traditional social institution
centred around temples. This system, which flourished within the administrative
context of the Travancore state, integrated religious rituals and cultural
activities such as music, singing, and dance into the lives of women. While
initially providing social respect and economic security, this system gradually
deteriorated due to administrative changes, the moral perspectives of colonial
rule, and social reform movements. This article examines the origin,
functioning, social role, decline, and legal abolition of the Devadasi system
in Kanyakumari district within its historical context.
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Pages:273-277
How to cite this article:
Dr. A Shahila Banu "The Devadasi (Devaradiyar) system in Kanyakumari district: A historical and socio – cultural study". International Journal of Applied Review
, Vol 2, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 273-277
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