What is up with a Jain female not being allowed to go into temple when it is that time of month?

The historically acknowledged “reasons” for menstruating women being prohibited from temples come from the Vaishnav faith in which it is important to observe “prayatatmanah” or physical purity; thus preventing bleeding persons (of either gender) from engaging in temple worship: specifically with regard to touching the deity. As a zealous method to uphold this requirement, Vaishnav women do not attend the temple during menstruation. Through association, Jains and Vaishnavs commonly assume the same rules apply; in fact they do not.

The “Atma” (soul) is the true form of a Jain, not the body; therefore in identifying ourselves with our bodies and aspects of this material realm we only bind karma. When we attend a temple, or “derasar”, we consciously seek to focus our minds on shedding karma through meditation and introspection because the temple is designed and maintained for that purpose. Why should an educated Jain woman embodying progressive thinking and seeking freedom from bodily attachment (particularly during her period!) be kept out of the gates of Palitana, in 15 different languages no less?

A woman in menstruation experiences changes in body and brain chemistry as well as energy. These changes disturb the meditation of others in proximity and therefore such an act is considered contrary to the concept of “ahimsa”, thus negating the benefit of being there. The implication is that if a menstruating woman does not cause harm to others in this way, she is free to worship wherever appropriate to do so.

What does this mean practically during a time where men and women are educated enough to question so called “traditional” beliefs and viewpoints? Jainism teaches us to be considerate toward others; in this light, the sign at Palitana is neither a barrier to entry nor an act of sexual discrimination: in fact it is a reminder to us all that the road to self-realisation becomes shorter if we consider and accommodate the other beings walking the same road alongside us.