Rajasthan tourism’s new line: welcome to the state of Sati

In the book, titled Popular Deities of Rajasthan, the department describes the state as ‘‘best-known for various Sati Matas’’ and goes on to extol the virtues of women who are remembered and revered for sacrificing their lives on their husbands’ funeral pyre.

Sample: ‘‘There is not a spot in the state where women had not committed Sati.’’

‘‘Brave women who sacrificed their lives for the sake of sat (truth) are best known as Satis… the Sati was not restricted by compulsions of caste. Women from every caste committed Sati.’’

The book, which was released by Tourism Minister Usha Punia amid much fanfare, goes on to describe the myths and legends associated with the Sati temples in Rajasthan.

Consider the following:

• Rundera, Salumbar: Before committing Sati, Krishna Devi of the Rathore clan sacrificed 24 body parts to the gods. The place got its name because of the Sati committed by Krishan Devi with Rathore Kallaji rund (body) in Salumbar (near Udaipur) after a battle. This Sati is well known as the Goddess of rains and the Goddess of Nature. Several tribes of the region worship the Sati in the lunar month of ashad (the period before the rains). Visitors would find palm prints of the Sati outside every house in the region.

• Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu: The Sati from Meham village is famous as the deity of the region. Her name was Narayani Bai. She committed Sati after her husband Tanmandhan Das died in a battle, while fighting for the Nawab of Hissar in 1652.

• Ghevar Mata of Rajasamand: This goddess carried the torch of sacrifice. It is said that when the embankments of the Rajsamand Lake were being constructed, they would collapse without any reason. The embankment could be constructed only after an astrologer asked the rulers to summon Ghevar Bai, who committed Sati after placing a stone in the foundation of the embankment.

• Bayan: Any unmarried woman who commits Sati to protect her honour is called Bayan. Once a girl from Merta (Jodhpur region) committed Sati with a child. This place has a memorial to her.

Tourism minister Punia, who released the book, defended the glorification of Sati in the guidebook. ‘‘Sati is now seen as the source of strength,’’ she said.

The devsthan (temples) department, however, said it had goofed up in its portrayal of the Sati. Its secretary, Ashok Shekhar, said the book was an attempt to inform visitors about the public deities of the state.

‘‘We would withdraw the references to the Sati temples, as they could be easily interpreted as glorification of Sati,’’ he said.