Ostracised. India is home to an estimated 40 million widows - approximately 10% of all women. Ageing women are more vulnerable than men. Without any financial security or welfare infrastructure, many of them are abandoned in Vrindavan- where they live off charity while they wait to die.

What happens to a widow in India?

The estimated 40 million women widows in the country go from being called “she” to “it” when they lose their husbands. Although widows today are not forced to die in ritual sati (burning themselves on their husbands funeral pyre), they are still generally expected to mourn until the end of their lives.

What is an ashram for widows?

Widows, either abandoned by their family members or outcast by society, often end up in various shelters, known as ashrams, just like this one. They come here from all across the country, but mostly from Bengal, where many survive by begging and chanting hymns in temples, while counting out the days of their sad lives.

Which place in India is known as the City of widows?

Vrindavan But Vrindavan has its darker, less-loving side - it is known as the city of widows. Spend a little while observing the pilgrims coming in and out of the temples and you see these widows - usually quite elderly women - dressed in simple white and often begging.

Why are widows considered inauspicious?

Widows are supposed to be inauspicious. To give you an example, there is a tradition in the Brahmin community to worship women who have died before their husbands, glorifying them by a ritual called Sumangali Prarthanai. This function is done before a marriage celebration or any happy occasion, remembering the dead.

Which is city of widows?

Vrindavan Vrindavan is home to more than 20,000 widows, and over the years, many shelters for widows run by the government, private enterprises and NGOs have mushroomed in the city. The city, which is considered holy by Hindus, has become known as the City of Widows.

How much pension does wife get after husband dies?

7th Pay Commission pension on death of Central Government Employee parents: If both the husband and wife are Central Government Employees and covered under CCS (Pension) 1972 rules, then on their death, their surviving child or children can receive two pensions limited to maximum Rs 1.25 lakh per month.

Who can get Widows pension?

If your spouse or civil partner passed away on or after 6 April 2017 you may be able to claim the bereavement support payment if youre under State Pension age. To qualify for this benefit your partner must have made at least 25 weeks worth of National Insurance contributions, or suffered a job-related death.

Can widows wear kumkum?

Hindu widows are traditionally shunned as inauspicious and barred from social activities. They are not invited to weddings and cannot wear the red kumkum dot on their forehead, one of the symbols of auspiciousness that all Hindu women are required to wear as long as their husbands are alive.

What does manusmriti say about widows?

“Let the widow emaciate her body by living on pure flowers, roots and fruits, but she must never mention the name of another man after her husband has died.” However, Manu did not restrict the marriage of a widow who did not consummate her earlier marriage.

Why Vrindavan is called widow?

Vrindavan is also known as the city of widows due to the large number of widows who move into the town and surrounding area after losing their husbands. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 widows. The widows come from states of west Bengal, Assam and Odisha.

Why are there so many widows in Vrindavan?

Widows of Vrindavan come here seeking peace and salvation. The land of lord Krishna, Vrindavan is considered as a holy place for Hindus, but living conditions of widows are pathetic. Widows are lured by their children and family to Vrindavan in the name of god and leave them here for the rest of their life.