Petitions and protests over the years by women activists in India calling various religious boards to allow women worshippers to enter the premises of many temples across the country has been a long and a tiring battle. The worst part are the ridiculous remarks from the self-appointed gurus, like in the case of Shani Shingapur temple, where the following comment would definitely give one a facepalming moment:
“Women’s entry will bring ill luck to them and give rise to crimes against them like rape.”
On the other hand, a temple in Japan is entirely dedicated to the well-being and health of women but follows a rather unusual practise of worshipping female breasts.
Bust For Health
The temple grounds are full of puffed-up different-sized breasts made of fabric and bedazzled nipples or wooden planks with mounds painted to depict boobs.
The tradition began years ago after a doctor from the nearby Wakayama city came to the temple to pray for one of his patients who was suffering from breast cancer. He asked the staff there to place a symbol of female breasts as an offering. Soon the word spread and people followed suit, turning the holy site famous for praying for women’s health issues.
The breasts represent birth, so people use them to pray for safe pregnancies, protection from cancer and even a healthy breast milk supplyAnnan, Head of the Jison-In temple, to CNN
The breast replicas can be purchased on site which gets visitors from across the globe, the priest further shared.
(With inputs from CNN)
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