Sacred prostitution
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Sacred prostitution, temple prostitution, cult prostitution, and religious prostitution are purported rites consisting of paid intercourse performed in the context of religious worship, possibly as a
Inanna/Ishtar, Mesopotamian goddess of sex and fertility, depicted on a ceremonial vase
Inanna depicted wearing the ceremonial headdress of the high priestess
Complex of Cancho Roano, Spain, a proposed place of temple prostitution
Devadasi
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A devadasi is a woman dedicated to the worship of a temple's patron god. The dedication takes place in a ceremony that is somewhat similar to a marriage ceremony. They have been variously described as
Sacred prostitution
…or a Hindu temple, who then work in the temple and function as spiritual guides, dancers, and prostitutes servicing male devotees in the temple. The Devadasis were originally seen as intercessors who allowed upper-caste men to have contact with the gods, though they did develop sexual relations with other…
Devadasi named Gnyana of Tanjore, 19th century
Vellayi Gopuram in Srirangam; one of the temple gateways named after devadasi Vellayi in 14th century.