Socio-Economic Conditions of Mathammas/Devadasis in Andhra Pradesh : A Case Study in Chittoor District

Devadasi system gained considerable popularity during the Vijayanagaram emperor's period, in India the Devadasi system existed all over the country, but known with different names in different regions. As Bhavinis in Goa, Bhagtan or Bhagtani in Marwar1.Mahavir in Kerela, Natis in Assam, Mardti in Maharastra, Basavi or Mathamma or Jogini in Andhra Pradesh and Jogatis or Basavis in Karnataka2 exhibiting certain unique features. For they were known originally as 'Devadasi' whose purpose was to entertain God3. The temple in the term 'Devadasi' means a 'Servant to god' something like priestess who sacrifices her physical pleasures and family life and chooses to serve god throughout her life by leading a life a saint.The public were brainwashed that religious practices as prescribed by the leaders were the only means of emancipation for human kind. Devadasi means woman for the service of some deity of sacred object in a temple. Also called Mathamma or Jogini in many parts of South India.