Need To Know

India's Devadasi System

Clip: Season 1 | 8m 46s

In 2007, while on assignment in India, Julia Cumes traveled to southern India where she witnessed the Hindu religious tradition where young girls are ritually "married" to the Hindu goddess Yellema. While the devadasi practice has a long tradition in parts of India, most devadasis today suffer one of the darker aspects of this practice: they become religiously sanctioned prostitutes.

Aired: 11/17/10

Expired: 11/17/15

Rating: NR

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