Sabarimala Temple: 5 women trying to enter the premises sent back

Kerala : The devotees started their trek to the Sabarimala temple on Saturday amid high security engagements by the Kerala Police for the 41-day annual pilgrimage.

The cops demanded proof of age from the five women who started trekking amid heavy rush of the devotees in the base camp of Pambha, which is 5km away from the temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. 

The main doors of the lord Ayappa temple have been opened by the chief priest or tantri of the Sabarimala temple, Mahesh Kandarau.

Amid threat of women trying to enter the premises of the temple, the cops have sent back five women who were believed to be in the child bearing age. When they insisted, a senior police officer said they have strict instructions not to allow women in the age group of 10-50 to the temple.

The state government has already issued a statement that they will not be able to provide any protection to the women devotees and several women social activists who plan to enter the temple premisis. The Sabarimala Karma Samiti, a top body of Hindu outfits, said it will block women if they try to enter the temple.

“In the first one hour, more than 10,000 pilgrims passed the police check post,” said a senior police officer in Pambha.

 “We have made all arrangements. There are no prohibitory orders this time. But we will deal with trouble makers with a heavy hand,” said Pathanamthitta’s collector M Nuhu.