If you ask a strictly traditional person, he may say that women are banned from performing Lalitha sahasranamam laksharchana.
A the same time, several organisations are doing this and nothing negative has happened to them.
I have some interesting things on this-
1. At our samooham here in Thripunithura, for samooham laksharchanas, laies are not allowed. But during Navarathri and even other occasions, Abhirami group here conduct laksharchana. The samooham priest makes them do samkalpam etc. and officiates as priest.
2.At Alwaye, one of my friends conducts laksharchana on a Sunday during Navarathri every day. Ladies freely participate and his prosperity has only increased. At the same time, on Mahanavami day, the local samooham next door had it only for men exclusively till about two years ago. Two years back, men did not turn up in sufficient numbers to finish the function in time. So, on my advice, the samooham president allowed ladies to participate and it was repeated last year and going to be so this year too. The priest was not happy, but it was a bold decision.
3. I perform bhagavathi sevai, in which lalitha sahasranamam archana is usual. When I performed this for a famous singeron her birthday, I allowed her entire troupe which included Christian ladies to perform archana. Her fame only increased after that. I did a prasna vicharam on m act and it was approved by the Goddess.
I do not know the practice in tamil Nadu and other states. I invite comments.
Subramania Iyer, Thripunithura
A the same time, several organisations are doing this and nothing negative has happened to them.
I have some interesting things on this-
1. At our samooham here in Thripunithura, for samooham laksharchanas, laies are not allowed. But during Navarathri and even other occasions, Abhirami group here conduct laksharchana. The samooham priest makes them do samkalpam etc. and officiates as priest.
2.At Alwaye, one of my friends conducts laksharchana on a Sunday during Navarathri every day. Ladies freely participate and his prosperity has only increased. At the same time, on Mahanavami day, the local samooham next door had it only for men exclusively till about two years ago. Two years back, men did not turn up in sufficient numbers to finish the function in time. So, on my advice, the samooham president allowed ladies to participate and it was repeated last year and going to be so this year too. The priest was not happy, but it was a bold decision.
3. I perform bhagavathi sevai, in which lalitha sahasranamam archana is usual. When I performed this for a famous singeron her birthday, I allowed her entire troupe which included Christian ladies to perform archana. Her fame only increased after that. I did a prasna vicharam on m act and it was approved by the Goddess.
I do not know the practice in tamil Nadu and other states. I invite comments.
Subramania Iyer, Thripunithura