ANCIENT WOMEN INFLUENCERS IN INDIA:
Travel to be Inspired!
India is a land of diverse cultures, religions, and traditions. It is home to many ancient sages and seers who have left a lasting impact on society with their wisdom and teachings. Throughout history, women have played an integral role in shaping society, culture, and art. Ancient India is no exception, with its rich heritage of inspiring women who inspire the society even today. From rulers and warriors to scholars and poets, women have left their mark in various fields.
Today we will explore a few of many of the inspiring women from India and the places they are associated with, making these destinations significant tourist’s attraction in your itinerary.
Tapovan - Maitreyi
Tapovan is a forest located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is associated with Maitreyi, an ancient Indian philosopher and scholar. Maitreyi was known for her wisdom and philosophical teachings, which were recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. She was a contemporary of the sage Yajnavalkya, and their debates on philosophy are still studied and revered today.
Vrindavan - Radha
Vrindavan is a town located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is associated with Radha, a Hindu goddess and consort of Lord Krishna. Radha is revered for her devotion to Lord Krishna and is considered the embodiment of love and compassion. Vrindavan is believed to be the place where Radha and Lord Krishna spent their childhood and is therefore considered a holy place by devotees.
Saptarishi Ashram - Lopamudra
Saptarishi Ashram is located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is associated with Lopamudra, an ancient Indian poet and sage. Lopamudra was known for her wisdom and literary skills, and her poetry is still studied and revered today. She was the wife of the sage Agastya and accompanied him to Saptarishi Ashram, where they spent their days in meditation and study.
Dattatreya Temple - Devi Anusuya
Dattatreya Temple is in the Indian state of Telangana. It is associated with Anusuya, an ancient Indian sage and wife of the sage Atri. Anusuya was known for her devotion to her husband and her virtues of chastity and purity. Another inspiring aspect of Devi Anusuya’s life is that she was a known environmentalist of her time. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Dattatreya, who is believed to be an incarnation of the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Rani Lakshmi Bai - Jhansi
Rani Lakshmi Bai was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi in the 19th century. She was known for her bravery and leadership during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Rani Lakshmi Bai fought against the British forces and became a symbol of resistance against colonial rule. She is revered as a national hero in India, and her legacy continues to inspire women across the country.
Mirabai - Rajasthan
Mirabai was a 16th-century poet and devotee of Lord Krishna. She is known for her devotional poetry, which reflects her love and devotion to Lord Krishna. Mirabai challenged the norms of her time by openly expressing her devotion to a deity outside her caste and gender. Her poems continue to inspire women to express themselves freely and follow their hearts.
Begum Hazrat Mahal - Lucknow
Begum Hazrat Mahal was the queen of Awadh (present-day Lucknow) in the mid-19th century. She played a vital role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading a group of soldiers against the British forces. Begum Hazrat Mahal's bravery and leadership continue to inspire women to fight for their rights and challenge injustice. India is home to many sacred places associated with women sages from ancient times. These places continue to inspire people from all over the world with their rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance. A visit to these places is not just a journey through time, but also a spiritual journey that connects us with our roots and our inner selves.
Let us celebrate women not because ‘behind every successful man there is a woman’
but because there are ‘successful women’; successful homemaker, successful
entrepreneurs, successful scientists, successful politicians, successful
influencers, who continue to contribute in the society no matter what.
“यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः। यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफला क्रिया: ॥”
“yatra nāryastu pūjyante ramante tatra devatāḥ। yatraitāstu na pūjyante sarvāstatrāphalā: kriyā: ॥”
Where women are honored, divinity blossoms there. And where they are Dishonored,
all actions remain unfruitful.
Source:
Manusmriti 3.56