When women don’t have the right to take Gayatri initiation because of menstruation, then why are you giving this initiation in Upanayanam?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Who said that they have no right? That is not written anywhere. Everybody can do Gayatri japa, there are no such boundaries. All these restrictions came in middle ages. In ancient times, there were no such things. Goddess is only Gayatri. The upholder of the Gayatri mantra is the Mother Divine (female energy). During menstruation cycle, Agnihotra should not be done, but remaining days, it can be done.