Sabarimala temple case: Why there is ban on women

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Devotees in Sabarimala temple (Representational Image)
Devotees in Sabarimala temple (Representational Image)

Karnataka : Sabarimala hindu temple has been in news for quite some time. Finally, the verdict of apex court has come and women of all ages can enter Sabarimala temple. Millions of devotees visit the temple every year, but unfortunately, women are barred from entering. The strange behaviour towards women group became controversial when social activists pointed at discrimination and violation of their fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.

The verdict on behalf of women pronounced a five-member constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Deepak Mishra has been in the eye of a storm over a ban on the entry of women into the temple. 

Why there was ban on entry of women in Sabarimala temple

The hill-top temple, 175 kms north of the state capital, is situated in Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta district, 3000 feet above sea level. After Mecca, it is considered to be the largest seasonal pilgrim centre in the world. There are restrictions on entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years in the shrine because the temple says presiding deity Lord Ayyappa is ‘naishtika brahmachari’. Traditionally, women of menstruating age are not allowed on grounds of “purity”.

Menstruating women are not allowed to participate in religious rituals or enter temples, as they are considered "unclean" in Hinduism. While most Hindu temples allow women to enter as long as they are not menstruating, the Sabarimala temple is unusual in that it is one of a few temples that does not allow women in the broad age group to enter at all.

Devotees have to undergo 41-day fast and refrain from all worldly pleasures before trekking to the temple. Since biologically it is not possible for women, as per menstruation cycle so they are not allowed. However, activists say it was a trick by a patriarchal society to keep them away and take away their fundamental rights

A controversy exploded when Jayamala, a Kannada actor, now a minister in the Karnataka government, claimed in 2006 that she had entered the temple and touched the idol of presiding deity. Following this news, the Kerala government had ordered a probe but the case was later dropped.