PUNE, INDIA, July 7, 2002: Jnana Prabodhini, a Pune-based organization, has been training women to become priests since 1990. With very little opposition from the public, JP has found that women priests have filled a demand, that priests graduating from their program perform rituals for all classes of people, and that women should have an equal opportunity in the profession. Yashwant Lele, who works for JP, says, “We have modified the rituals to suit the jet age where people have the inclination to perform rituals, but have less time and limited money.” Lele points out that the modifications were done after consulting the Lonavla-based Dharmanirnay Mandal. JP priests also perform the last rites and have revived the sacred thread ceremony for girls, to emphasize their importance
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