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KENDRAPADA, INDIA, July 26, 2006: The Dalits (“Untoucables”) in this Orissa district have broken through age-old restrictions and built their own temple. Called Maa Mangal, the shrine is situated in Churiberhampur, a Dalit-dominated village. For three years they collected donations from among themselves and friends and relatives in other villages to complete their temple. “I am happy that my dream has come true. Now I can worship God inside a temple with all the rituals,” said 85-year-old Rama Naik. “God is everywhere; one does not need to go to a temple to pray. But one gets satisfaction by worshiping him in a temple,” he said. Said Manguli Naik, another Dalit: “We were not allowed into temples to perform any rituals on any occasion. Once my two-year-old daughter fell sick and did not respond to medicines. We wanted to put an ‘Akhand Diyaa’ in front of the idol for her quick recovery. We urged the priest, but the upper castes did not allow us to enter the temple. Then I had to go to another village where people didn’t recognize me. I had to change my name and title to visit a temple and pray for my daughter. Till today I can’t forget that moment.” Anadi Naik added, “When some of our youngsters wanted to construct a temple in the past, the elders turned down the suggestion.” “We used to pray to God standing outside the existing temple,” explained Minati Naik. Now my family attends puja every day. I am glad that at least the next generation won’t be deprived of their right to worship God,” he said. A brahmin priest has been hired to conduct the worship in the temple.

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