Sacred Cycles: Rethinking Periods and Purity in Hindu Culture

Simply Conscious

Namaste, dear listener.

Welcome back to Simply Conscious — where ancient wisdom meets modern reflection. Today, we explore a topic that has followed many of us from our childhood into womanhood, through hushed conversations, family traditions, and deep inner questioning.

Why is menstruation treated as a time when women are discouraged from taking part in religious activities in Hindu culture?

This is a conversation not just about temples and rituals, but about the feminine body, power, shame, and sacredness.

As a child, I remember hearing things like:
"It’s your time to rest."
"Don’t go to the mandir, you’re not clean."
"Your energy is flowing downward, the temple’s energy is upward – they clash."

Some of it was said with care, and some... with judgement.

Over the years, I’ve spoken to so many women who heard similar things. Some just accepted it, some questioned it silently, and others still carry confusion or even shame around this natural cycle of the body.

But what do our traditions really say? Let’s explore.

The Scriptural Background:

Contrary to popular assumptions, no major Hindu scripture explicitly calls menstruation impure. The Vedas, for instance, don’t shame the menstruating woman. In fact, the Atharva Veda refers to menstruation as Rajaswala, a term that simply denotes a woman in her time of cyclical flow, without assigning moral value to it.

“You know, ever since I was a child, I’ve heard this —
‘Don’t go to the temple, you’re on your period.’
‘It’s your time to rest.’
‘It’s not clean.’
‘Your energy’s flowing downward, the temple raises upward.’
And sometimes… just the word — ‘dirty.’”

(Pause. Breathe.)

“For years, I stayed quiet. I accepted it.
But something deep in me always wondered —
Why?
What does our culture actually say about menstruation?
Is this tradition… or is this silence?”

(Pause. Change in tone — warm, empowered.)

“Today, I’m speaking about it — fully.
Not in whispers. Not in shame.
Because what if I told you that menstruation is sacred?
That in Tantra and Yogic tradition, this is seen as a time of power…
of stillness, of rejuvenation, of divine feminine energy at its peak?”

“I recorded a full podcast exploring this — with references, real stories, and a lot of heart.
If this topic has ever touched your life — come listen.
Because your cycle is not a curse.
It’s consciousness in motion.”

Love and light, Hari xox