Hierodulic child prostitution is a generic term which the Society uses to describe religiously-sanctioned child prostitution, and, specifically, those
children engaged in religious cult prostitution known variously as aradhinis, basavis, bhavanis, bhogam-vandhis, devadasis, jjgateens, jogins (or jogatis),
kalavanthulas, kudikars, maharis, muralis, natis and thevardiyars in India, and as deukis in Nepal. Although there are differences between these ancient
institutions of cult prostitution, essentially they all involve parents dedicating their little daughters to a Hindu deity. The reasons for dedication
may differ. The deukis, for instance, were girls who were offered by their parents as a sacrifice to appease the gods, or were purchased from their
parents by wealthy worshippers and offered to the gods.
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