Fortified Sabarimala to open for prayer today

◗ Police says 2,300 personnel, including a 20- member commando team and 100 women, have been deployed to ensure smooth ‘ darshan’

Sabarimala, Nov. 4: As the Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala’s Sabarimala opens on Monday for a special puja, a thick security cover has been put in place after violent protests were witnessed last month despite a Suprme Court order allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine. Orders banning assembly of four or more people have been imposed in Sabarimala and nearby areas, the police said on Sunday. Around 2,300 personnel, including 20 commandos, have been deployed to ensure smooth “darshan” and security of devotees. However, the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, the BJP and the Congress have criticised the heavy security. Meanwhile, the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, a platform of rightwing outfits appealed to media houses not to depute women journalists in the menstrual age group to cover the developments in Sabarimala. The Kerala police chief, however, said that there was no bar on entry of journalists.

and above the age of 50 would be deployed at ‘ Sannidhanam’ ( temple complex) for security, they said.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc, banning assembly of four or more people, is in force at Pamba, Nilackal, Elavungal, and Sannidhanam for 72 hours from midnight on Saturday.

This is the second time the hill temple will open for ‘ darshan’ after the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of all age groups into it.

The temple had witnessed high drama last month following frenzied protests leading to around a dozen women in the age group of 10- 50 being prevented from reaching it and police and the agitators fighting a pitched battle over the LDF government’s decision to implement the court order.

The shrine will open at 5 pm Monday for the “Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal” special puja slated for the next day, marking the birthday of last king of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, and close at 10 pm on that day.

Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru and chief priest Unnikrishnan Namboodiri will jointly open the temple doors and light the lamp at the ‘ Sreekovil’ ( sanctum s a n c t o r u m ) .