Are women allowed in Hindu temple under all circumstances?

Answer 1

There are certain situations during which a woman is not allowed to visit a temple.

Some of them are:

1. During menstruation from day 1 to day 5 or 7

2. From the 6th month of pregnancy to six months after the child is born

3. Death in the family for about 12-16 days (this is applicable to men as well)

4. Birth in the family for about 14-16 days (this is applicable to men as well)

I think the reason for the first two situations must be that in olden times, the only place where there would be a large gathering of people would be in the temples. When a women is menstruating, she is losing a lot of blood and could be vulnerable to infections. This one isn't really enforced, though. When she is expecting, it is important that the to-be mother doesn't contract any infection or contagious deseases. And when the baby is born again it is important that both the child and mother doesn't fall ill as the mother could pass on the illness through the milk.

In the case of a death, the body disintegrates very quickly and releases harmful bacteria/germs; perhaps to keep that from spreading the rule must have been applied.

However, there is no religious significance to these first two things.