The existing practice spans Bellary, Raichur, Gadag, Gulbarga, Haveri and Dharwad – the entire northern interior of Karnataka. Most of these areas are drought-prone, villages are remote, economic opportunities and literacy levels are low. Most older devadasis don't know any other way of life.

How many Devadasis are there?

The National Commission for Women estimate that there are 48,358 Devadasis currently in India. "For certain SC communities [Scheduled Caste – a government classification of lower castes] this has become a way of life, sanctioned by tradition," he says.

How many Devadasis are there in India?

In reality, more than 40,000 women are forced to continue the Devadasi system and who have not even been counted. Reason: There has been no survey in the past 18 years. The last survey by the state government was in 2008, according to which there are 40,600 devadasis.