Sabarimala temple shuts for purification after two women in menstrual age offer prayers at Lord Ayyappa's Shrine

New Delhi : Sabarimala temple has been shut down for purification rituals by the authorities after learning that two women in their menstrual age offered prayers at the lord Ayyappa's shrine.

Devotees named Bindu and Kanakdurga, both under the age of 50 years, were escorted by cops in the temple.

According to a news report, the women had also tried to offer the prayers last week but were unable to do so. In a video shared by the news agency ANI, the women can be seen dressed in a black dress from head to toe.

To ensure safety of the women devotees, the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued standing orders to the police to provide all possible protection to them.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled for a hearing on January 22 over review petitions on the Sabarimala row.

The top court had on September 28 paved the way for the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, saying that the ban on entry of menstrual age women amounted to gender discrimination. The shrine has been under a heavy security blanket since November 17, the day when it was opened for the annual two-month-long pilgrimage season.