MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Since times immemorial, a religious Hindu is prone to perform religious rituals and ceremonies with keen devotion. It is also a known fact that Hindu religion and customs have prescribed a number of rituals and ceremonies which are to be performed with the help of priests and purohits. This has made it essential for society to have a band of priests and religious mendicants who formed a considerable number in the past. With the spread of scientific education however, the religious profession has lost its past glory and respect and people have begun to question the propriety of rituals and ceremonies. This indifferent attitude which has been growing since long has affected the profession of priests and purohits. Many of the hereditary priests are, therefore, required to seek other avenues of employment.

The 1951 Census recorded the number of persons engaged in 'religious, charitable and welfare services' as 663 (including 59 females). The 1961 Census recorded them as 1,877 (1,670 males, 207 females). The increase in the number of persons engaged in these services in the 1961 Census could be attributed to the change in the method of occupational classification.

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