Would you believe if we say that ancient India was better for women than modern India in a plethora of ways? No, you won’t! Women have a derogatory stage in almost all societies across the globe, but ancient Indians respected women and their ways of living, and when they didn’t the consequences were frightening. Do you remember Draupadi, who was disrespected by the Kauravas, and one act of folly, disrespect caused the war of Mahabharata which led to the fall of the Kauravas? Well, that was our India back then; we didn’t just worship our Goddesses, honored women like goddesses!

Still unbelievable? Then let’s take the example of the menstruation festivals. Yes, you heard it right. In the same India where stereotypes regarding periods are kindled every now and then and menstruation is a topic of taboos, the history of menstruation used to be glorious. Back in the days when women weren’t objectified some festivals commemorated the joys of womanhood by celebrating menstruation.

Read Also: Myths and Misconceptions about Menstruation

The fertile aspect of nature

In the good old days when women reach their menstruating age, the menstruating girl was showered with love and prayers, as she manifested in herself the fertile aspect of nature. There were elaborate festivals that made women feel how special they were. Women in those days were treated so well that societal taboos were the last thing that you would think about. Sadly, over time menstruation turned into a taboo, due to the lack of awareness, and several myths and misconceptions incepted from the half-baked tales without any real roots. Despite this atrocity regarding periods in society, there are still some festivals that celebrate menstruation in all its glory.

#1 Raja Parba

This three-day long festival is celebrated by the women of Odisha with a belief that Bhudevi or Mother Earth menstruates during the three days of Raja Parba. Girls and women take a break from every kind of work for three days and celebrate the festival with games, sweets, and new clothes. After the three days, a ceremonial bath is arranged on the fourth day to honor women for their sacrifices.

#2 Ritu Kala Samskara

This festival marks a girl’s transition to womanhood by offering her a saree. This is supposed to be the first saree of her life that she drapes, until her wedding when she can drape a full saree.

#3 Manjal Neerattu Vizha

This is a nine-day festival that celebrates a girl’s coming of age. The festival is accompanied by turmeric bathing when the girl gets her first period. During the festival, the menstruating girl is draped in saree and gold jewelry and she sits with other girls who are yet to reach puberty.

The bottom line

The cause for the disappearance of the age-old values and deteriorating honor for women is deeply rooted in the lack of awareness regarding facts about periods. Even now women are considered inferior in different walks of life as they are seen unfit to work while they are menstruating. Overcoming these limiting beliefs has to be succeeded by a chain of changes that involve spreading awareness, debunking myths, and switching to sustainable products like an organic menstrual cup.

Shecup has already taken the initiative to help women in functioning normally during their periods. Whether it is about saving the environment by reducing the amount of period waste or it is about creating a female period product that is economical and convenient, we have taken the extra edge. Now, it is your turn.