Feminisation of Ascetic Celibacy in Haridwar

Abstract

Case studies of male–female ascetic couples in Haridwar in North India complicate the widespread knowledge that male Hindu renouncers are supposed to observe celibacy. Based on extended ethnographic work, this article investigates specifically how female ascetics tackle the dominant androcentric discourses and practise celibacy from a female point of view, focussing on their practice of sevā or spiritual service. The article argues that while female ascetics do not object to the androcentric ideology of celibacy, they follow it only partly, switching their focus from sexual abstinence to devotional sevā. Doing this, female ascetics value controlling emotion more than controlling sexual desire. Through the practice of sevā, they aim for fostering an attitude of devotion as a feminised manifestation of their efforts towards reaching spiritual attainment.