After ovulation the inner lining of the womb starts thickening and the egg travels down the fallopian tube for fertilization. It is not fertilized then it is absorbed by the body and the levels of estrogen and progesterone falls and the thick wall (placenta) starts to break and come out. This is completely natural and goes on in a loop every month. This is what our biology teacher taught us and don't think menstruating girls pose any threat to anyone. Menstruation is a methods cleaning of the body rather than contamininating. Refraining menstruating women from practicing their belief is a rigorous violation of the fundamental rights. In ancient times women were ceased to go to the temples because of hygiene issues as tampons and sanitary napkins were not prevalent then. But with the passing time introduce of tampons, menstruation cup, sanitary napkins etc, hygiene related issues were sought but those old ideas and practices remained unaltered.

Women were bestowed with the power to create and nurture but some orthodox brains take a second to label hem with an impurity tag. It's not the menstruating women that are impure instead it's that buttoned-down thought that is malignant keeping the topic of menstruation in darkness and ignoring this prejudice is unhealthy. Equity menstruating women to a term as impurity is unhealthy. It's time to clear off the webs of the taboos.

Hinduism views the menstruating woman as "impure" or "polluted". In fact, menstruation is referred to some to in some places as a "curse". The impurity lasts only during the menses, and ends immediately thereafter. During their menstruation, women must leave the main house, and live in a small hut outside the village. They must rest, and do not work; they cannot comb their hair or bathe. They are not allowed to partake in the Naulas, or traditional water springs. In other words, menstruating women do not have access to water when they need it for personal hygiene. They are not allowed to cook food and must keep separate utensils. Women may not enter the pooja room (the prayer room within each home) and may not enter the temple. Women may not mount a horse, ox, or elephant, nor may they drive a vehicle also found various food restrictions during menstruation, including fish and meat. In particular, menstruation is to be a private event. Then is a strong taboo against menstruation being made known in a public sphere.

Menstruation is the natural part of the reproductive cycle in which blood from the uterus exits through the vagina. It is a natural process that first occurs in girls usually between the age of 11 and 14 years and is one of the indicators of the onset of puberty among them. Despite being a phenomenon unique to girls, this has always been surrounded by secrecy and myths in many societies. Taboos surrounding menstruation exclude women and girls from many aspects of social and cultural life. Some of these are helpful, but others have potentially harmful implications.

Myths Related to Menstruation in India:

In India even mere mention of the topic has been to be dirty and impure. The origin of this myth dates back to the Vedic times and is often been linked to Indra’sslaying of Vritras. For, it has been declared in the Veda that guilt, of killing a Brahmans-murder, appears every month as menstrual flow as women had taken upon themselves a part of Indra's guilt. Further, in the Hindu faith, women are prohibited from participating in normal life while menstruating. She must be "purified" before she is allowed to return to her family and day to day chores of her life. However, scientifically it is known that the actual cause of menstruation is ovulation followed by missed chance of pregnancy that results in bleeding from the endometrial vessels and is followed by preparation of the next cycle. Therefore, there seems no reason for this notion to persist that menstruating women are “impure."

Taboo in the past and even to this date the cultural and social influences appear to be a hurdle for advancement of knowledge on the subject. Culturally in many parts of India, menstruation is still considered. Many girls and women are subject to restrictions in their daily lives simply because they are menstruating. Not entering the "puja" room is the major restriction among urban girls whereas, not entering the kitchen is the main restriction among the rural girls during menstruation. Menstruating girls and women are also restricted from offering prayers and touching holy book. The underlying basis for this myth is also the cultural beliefs of impurity associated with menstruation. It is further believed that menstruating women are unhygienic and unclean and hence the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated. According to study by Kumar and Srivastava in 2011, participating women also reported that during menstruation the body emits some specific smell or ray, which turns preserved food bad. And, therefore, they are not allowed to touch sour foods like pickles. However, as long as general hygiene measures are taken into account, no scientific test has shown menstruation as the reason for spoilage of any food in making.

In some parts of India, some strict dietary restrictions are also followed during menstruation such as sour food like curd, tamarind, and pickles are usually avoided by menstruating girls. It is believed that such foods will disturb or stop the menstrual flow. As far as the exercise is concerned, many studies in India and elsewhere have revealed that many adolescent girls believe that doing exercise/physical activity during menses aggravate the dysmenorrheal while in real exercise can help relieve the menstruating women with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrheal and relieve bloating. Exercise also causes a release of serotonin, making one feel much happier. In some parts of India, perceptions of Hinduism centre on notions of purity and pollution. Bodily excretions are believed to be polluting, as are the bodies when producing them. All women, regardless of their social caste, incur pollution through the bodily processes of menstruation and childbirth. Water is considered to be the most common medium of purification. The protection of water sources from such pollution, which is the physical manifestation of Hindu deities, is, therefore, a key concern. This highlights the possible reason why menstruating women are not allowed to take a bath especially for first few days of their menstrual period. It is believed that if a girl or women touches a cow while she is on her period, that the cow will become infertile leading girls to associate their own bodies with curse and impurity.

What is menstruation?

Menstruation (men-STRAY-shuhn) is a woman's monthly bleeding. When you menstruate, your body sheds the lining of the uterus (womb). Menstrual blood flows from the uterus through the small opening in the cervix and passes out of the body through the vagina. Most menstrual periods last from 3 to 5 days.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

Objectives of the Research Problem:

o To assess the socio-economic situation and educational status of respondents.

o To study the ancient and present practices of prejudices pertaining to menstruation among rural women (respondent).

o To understand the opinion of respondent on practices of menstrual prejudices.

o To analyze the present situation on various factors that weakened the rigid practices.

Hypothesis:

· Illiterate women’s are rigid followers of menstrual taboos.

· Educated women have less consideration towards menstrual taboos.

Research Design:

The research design adopted by the investigator is descriptive one. It is designed is such as a way that it makes possible to collect accurate and adequate data to describe phenomena under study.

Descriptive research design is essentially for a fact finding research investigation. It is more technical than exploratory method. The descriptive research design helps the researcher to describe the knowledge and practices of prejudice pertaining to menstruation among the rural women.

Universe:

The universe comprises all the rural women of Sulliataluk of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state.

Sampling Method:

The research selected the 50 respondents for the study through simple random sampling techniques. In this method first of all it is decided as to what are types of units to be included in the study and it is accepted that all the units which have been included in the study are important. Since in this method each unit has got equal chance of selection, therefore, the sample taken is very much representative.

Village located in Sulliataluk of Dakshina Kannada was selected for the study. From Sulliataluk five villages were selected by using random sampling. The following are the villages selected from Sulliataluk. are Village PanchayathAranthodu., Aletty., Ajjavara, Thodikana, Bellare

Source and Method of Data Collection:

The researcher collected the data from primary and secondary data. Primary data is the qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variables or set of variables that is collected by the investigator conducting the research interview schedule.

RESEARCH FINDINGS:

01. Awareness about Menstruation Prior to Attainment of Menarche

Diagram No. 1: Awareness About Menstruation Priror To Attainment of Menarche

The above diagram shows that 70% of the respondents do not know about the menstruation before menarche and remaining 30% of the respondents were aware about the menstruation before menarche.

Most of women’s are lack information about menstruation. So, this is effect on awareness about menstruation prior to attainment of menarche.

TABLE NO: 1 Very First Period Celebrate

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	18	36%
2	No	32	64%
	Total	50	100%

The above table, 36% respondents are celebrate the first period of menstruation and 64% respondents are do not celebrate the first period of menstruation.

In some cultures, celebrations are held on the commencement of menstruation. And in the same cultures, the already menstruating women are looked down upon as impure and filthy.

Diagram No. 2: Do you talk to Men during the Menstruation

The above diagram shows that 86% respondents are agree with talk about men during period of women menstruation and 4% respondents are not agree to talk and 10% respondents are. At present 86% respondents are aware about taboos. So respondents are give importance to talk about men during the menstruation period.

Diagram no. 3: Living outside/seperately during the menstruation period

Above the diagram shows that 24% respondents are during menstruation period living in the outside hut and 76% respondents are not living in outside hut.

At present 70% respondents are aware about these taboos, so respondents are not giving the importance this taboo.

Diagram no. 4. Whether you are agreeing with during menstruation time doing the home/household work

The above diagram shows that 56% respondents are agree with to work in home and 18% respondents disagree and . Earlier during menstruation cooking and doing household work is restricted. At present most of respondents are living in nuclear family, so respondents are avoiding the taboo.

TABLE NO: 2 A menstruating women should not enter the temple

L.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	6	12%
2	No	44	88%
	Total	50	100%

The above table shows that 88% respondents are agree with during the menstruation period woman should not enter temple and 12% respondents are not agree with this system. At present also 88% respondents are agree with religion rules and regulation in the area pertaining to menstruating women restricted from entering temple.

Table no: 3 Wearing the white sarees during the menstruation period

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	0	0
2	No	50	100%
	Total	50	100%

Above table shows that 100% respondents are disagree with in the menstruation time use the white sari. At present respondents are use the any dress, not given importance in particular sari or dress.

Table No: 4 Should not comb, look in mirror:

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	42	84%
2	No	8	16%
	Total	50	100%

The above table shows that 84% respondents are agree with in the period saw the mirror and the comb and 16% respondents are disagree with saw the mirror and comb.During the period 84% respondents give the importance about neatness and cleanness.

Table No: 5 Use of the sanitary pad:

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	38	76%
2	No	12	24%
	Total	50	100%

The above table shows that 76% respondents are use the sanitary pad during menstruation period and 24% respondents are use the old rags to soak the flow. At present 76% percent respondents are aware about use the sanitary pad during the menstruation period. The sanitary pad helps of the keep safety and maintains the good health.

Table No: 6 you know about use of sanitary pad:

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	37	74%
2	No	13	26%
	Total	50	100%

The data shows that 74% respondents know about use the sanitary pad during the period of menstruation and 26% respondents are don't know about use the sanitary pad during the menstruation period. Educated respondents are aware about use the sanitary pad but some respondents are shall not aware about use of Pad

Diagrm No. 5: Sleeping on floor during the menstruation

The above diagram shows that 36% respondents are agree with the sleep in under during the menstruation and 64% respondents are disagree with sleep in under during the menstruation.

In the menstruation period 36% respondents are sleep under this is help of maintain cleanness and 64% respondents give importance about safety.

TABLE NO: 7 attending outside functions during the menstruation

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	20	40%
2	No	30	60%
	Total	50	100%

Diagram No. 6: Attending outside functions during the menstruation

The above diagram shows that 40% respondents are attending the functions during the menstruation period and 60% respondents are should not attend the functions during the menstruation time. Some religion women's are not followed this culture but in Hindu religion women's are strictly followed this rules.

Table No: 8 Seeing husband face:

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	1	2%
2	No	46	92%
3	Little bit	3	6%
	Total	50	100%

The above table shows that 92% respondents are disagree with during the menstruation period should not see the husband face and 6% respondent little bit and 2% respondents are agree with this rules.

Some respondents told that during the period saw the husband face his loss the energy and bravery so, we are not observe the husband face.

Diagram No. 7: During The Menstruation Woman’s Are Participating In Sex

The above diagram shows that 94% respondents are disagree with during the menstruation period participate in sex and 6% respondents are agree with involved in sex during menstruation period. During the menstruation period involving the sex this is unhygienic and starts the infections. So, 94% respondents disagree with in the time sex.

TABLE NO: 9 do you take rest

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	15	30%
2	No	6	12%
3	Little bit	29	58%
	Total	50	100%

The above table shows that 38% respondents are take the rest living in outside during the period of menstruation and 58% respondents are agree in little bit and 12% respondents disagree with this question.

During the menstruation period most respondents are face the back pain, stomach pain and leg pain. So, in the time want to take the rest, the outside living is help of the menstruating women.

Diagram No. 8: Do you agree with menstrual taboo effect on women development

The above diagram shows that 50% respondent are agree with the menstruation taboo effect on the women development in society and 44% respondents are agree in little bit and 6% respondents disagree with menstruation taboo effect on the women development. The menstruation taboos restricted that women work, activity so this is effect on the women development in our society.

Diagram No. 9 do you agree with menstrual taboo is decreased

The above diagram shows that 72% respondents are agree with the should not practice and it is decreased , the menstrual taboo in society and 24% respondents are agree to little bit and 4% respondents are disagree saying menstrual taboo is not decreased and is practiced still.

Diagram No. 10 Going to school during the menstruating

The above diagram shows that 34% respondents during the menstruation period should not going to the school and 66% respondents during the menstruation period going to the school.At present situation respondents are educated and give the importance study. During the menstruation period who have health problem at time absent of the school.

TABLE NO: 10 whether you are agree to continue this custom

SL.NO	ASPECT	FREQUENCY	PERCENTAGE
1	Yes	0	0
2	No	41	82%
3	Little bit	9	18%
	Total	50	100%

The table shows that 82% respondents are disagree with to continue the menstruation taboo and 18% agree with little bit to continue this menstruation taboo. Now a day’s most of respondents not importance give the menstrual taboo in our society.

SUGGESSION:

· Parents should have more knowledge about menstruation to impart it to the adolescent’s girls.

· It has to be clear for the elders of the family that menstruation is a natural, biological process and the adolescent girls during menstruation should not be restricted for religious activities.

· Young girls should be taught more effective procedures of washing their menstrual cloth as well as careful more sanitary storage of pads, or preferably using new cloth per each monthly cycle.

CONCLUSION

We can see that similar taboos exist across religions and cultures. Some of the most consistent practices followed include isolation, exclusion from religious activities and restraint from sexual intercourse. Women are still prohibited even by the ‘modern’ religions to enter the temples. Also what is common in all religion is the age-old idea of spiritual impurity, which doesn’t seem to go.

It society one tries to avoid the subject of menstruation. Discussing it with males is particularly a discomfort. The manner of discussing menstruation and how it’s represented in advertisements and movies shows our uneasiness. It is about time we try and break the stigma around it. We need to create an environment where girls can access information and ask questions without shame, embarrassment and without judgment. That can only happen if we don’t treat is as a stigma and talk freely and openly about it.

Findings of study have revealed that education status of the women was the most important determinant for having good menstrual knowledge. Also significant association was observed between education level and healthy menstrual practices. Thus steps should be taken to improve the literacy status of the adolescent girls for bringing about further improvements in the menstrual hygiene related knowledge and practices.

REFERENCE:

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Received on 21.05.2016

Modified on 02.08.2016

Accepted on 08.10.2016

Research J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 7(4): October- December, 2016, 247-254.

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2016.00039.5