The Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala will close on Monday night after the monthly rituals, giving a brief respite to the authorities who have been in a standoff with devotees protesting the entry of women of menstrual age into the famous hill shrine.
Not a single woman in the age group of 10 to 50 has so far been able to reach the Sabarimala temple, which opened for monthly rituals on October 17 after the Supreme Court last month lifted the centuries-old ban. As many as 12 women in the 10-50 age group have so far been prevented from offering worship at the Sabarimala temple.
Though attempts had been made by some young women, including an activist, to enter the Sabarimala temple of the celibate deity since Wednesday, the devotees, backed by priests, have stood their ground, saying they would not allow tradition to be breached. Tension has prevailed in Sabarimala and nearby areas after the police clashed with protesters.
The BJP demanded a special session of the Kerala assembly to seek the Centre's intervention, while the Congress sought an ordinance by the Narendra Modi government.
The Pandalam royal family, the traditional custodian of the Sabarimala temple, alleged the CPI(M)-led LDF government was trying to destroy the sanctity of the shrine by allowing women in the menstrual age group at the shrine.
As the standoff continues, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), that manages the shrine, will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday. The TDB had earlier said it would file a report in Supreme Court on the prevailing situation at Sabarimala.
The BJP has said that though the shrine will close on Monday, it will continue the agitation over Sabarimala.
A challenge for the police
State police chief Loknath Behera said the Kerala Police will conduct a review of the alleged lapses while handling the issues related to Sabarimala after the doors of the shrine close on Monday.
He said the annual pilgrimage season at Sabarimala, beginning next month, was going to be a challenging one for the Kerala police.
