The morning was still fresh when Meera and Ananya, newly appointed teachers at the local girls' school, were invited for a special morning ritual by Gowri Amma, reached the temple premises.
Meera was wearing a deep green pavadai (long skirt) with a mustard yellow sattai (blouse) and sheer davani (half-saree drape) while Ananya was wearing a maroon pavadai with a cream sattai and davani.
Both of them had tied their long into thick braids with fresh jasmine flowers..Gowri Amma was clad in a simple white cotton saree with no blouse, and greeted them.
"Come, child," Gowri Amma said.
She led them to a small wooden platform.
"You must be pure before offering prayers to the goddess. Let me cleanse you."
She dipped her fingers into a brass bowl filled with warm sesame oil. She motioned for Meera to step forward.
"Remove your davani," she said.
Meera hesitated but obeyed and carefully unpinned the fabric from her blouse and slid off her shoulders.
"Good. Now sit down."
Meera folded her hands and lowered herself onto the cool stone floor.
Gowri Amma began by massaging Meera's arms and then moving towards her shoulders. The oil dripped down and stained the fabric of Meera's yellow blouse.
Gowri Amma turned to Ananya.
"Now you, child. Take off your davani."
Ananya.undraped her maroon half-saree and sat next to Meera.
"Good girls," the priestess said.
