Ban on women continues at Kerala’s Sabarimala temple

Temple to close today after rituals, and reopen for the main pilgrimage season in mid-November

Nearly a week after Kerala’s Sabarimala Ayyappa temple opened for the rituals of thulam (a month in the Kerala traditional calendar), women continued to be barred from entering the shrine by a large number of protesters yesterday.

The Sabarimala temple has historically banned the entry of girls and women in the 1050 age group, on the belief that the presiding deity, Ayyappa, is celibate and does not wish to be distracted by young women.

However, India’s Supreme Court quashed that rule last month, saying it violated the principles of gender equality provided in the national constitution.

Two women stopped

Ever since the temple opened for thulam rituals last week, women from all walks of life including journalists, activists and devotees, have been attempting to reach the temple but they have all been thwarted by protesters, despite the women being provided police protection.

Yesterday, two women from Andhra Pradesh state were stopped by protesters close to the Sannidhanam of the temple, on suspicion that they were below 50 years. Following strong protests, the visibly shaken women decided to beat a retreat.

Another woman, also from Andhra Pradesh and identified as Balamma, had to be carried back on a stretcher after she felt giddy following a face-off with the protesters.

The temple will close today after the thulam rituals, and will reopen for the main pilgrimage season only in midNovember.

The break will provide breathing space for the Kerala government, which has been struggling to uphold the apex court ruling to permit women of all ages to the temple.