CHENNAI: Temples in Tamil Nadu may soon get women priests as the state Hindu religious and charitable endowments department has planned to offer archakar (priest) course to all Hindus.

Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu's announcement that women could also be appointed as priests in temples following stipulated training has found both support and opposition.

The BJP Tamil Nadu unit president L Murugan has said that from ancient days women had expertise in ''Agama shastras'' and they are already performing pujas in temples such as the Adiparasakthi shrine. One could see the influence of Paancharatra Agama mode of worship in Andal's pasurams, he said.

Also, the Saffron party welcomed the move to appoint people of all communities as priests and Murugan listed several temples where people representing various castes are already officiating as priests apparently hinting that the proposal was not entirely new.

Welcoming the move, BJP Mahila Morcha national president and MLA, Vanathi Srinivasan said the proposal to appoint women should be taken forward in a constructive manner with the cooperation of devotees, temple administration and after imparting appropriate training to aspirants.

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