Imphal:
In eight years Bimola Devi transformed a small family temple into one of Imphal's most venerated place of worship.
But this temple is also a story of a woman who fought abuse at home and turned a private house of worship into something that helped raise her children besides creating a community space for devotees to congregate and providing employment to more than forty men and women.
"After my husband's death I had to take over and instead of looking for a job I started running the family temple," said Shijagurumayum Bimola Devi, owner, Sri Narsimha Temple.
Bimola Devi is seen supervising the preparations before the community lunch, which is the ambrosia or the prasad. It has a range of ethnic vegetarian dishes served in a traditional manner and comes at only fifty five rup.ees.
Anyone can join the lunch. It is also a favourite for ritual feasts organised by the temple. Besides special pujas which are performed by the priest. Bimola Devi is now helped by her son and daughter-in-law.
"What we generally see is women take up major roles here, they always take the first step. We can see that the power of women is more emphasised in the state of Manipur," said Joyraj, an engineering student.