Thousands of Ayyappa devotees chanting Swami Saranam, Ayyappa Saranam gathered in Thripunithura on Sunday for a ‘Nama Japa’ protest march against the Supreme Court verdict permitting entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala temple.
The march was characterised by absence of any political party’s leadership, though quite a few leaders from the Congress and the BJP joined the march around Thripunithura town. As in other parts of the State, women devotees in large numbers took to the streets in registering their protest against the verdict.
The march was organised through a social media campaign over the past three days.
In a first-of-its-kind protest in Thripunithura, temple committees in various places in the town gave the call for the march. From Puthenkulangara, Eroor, Thripunithura north, a procession started gathering devotees from various temples on its way to the centre of the town. Likewise, from Puthiyakavu, the southern part of the town. It became a single massive procession when the protesters from both sides reached the Statue Junction in the centre of the town. The march culminated at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple.
Devotees raised their demand for a review petition in the Supreme Court to retain status quo in Sabarimala.
Prarthana Yajna
A meeting of over 30 Hindu organisations on Sunday decided to take out a ‘Prarthana Yajna’ on October 13 against the Supreme Court’s verdict on Sabarimala.
The meeting convened by Ernakulam Karayogam was attended by former members of Travancore and Guruvayur Devaswom Boards and leaders of community organisations. P. Ramachandran of the Ernakulam Karayogam said that around 2 lakh people are expected to join the Prarthana Yajna that will start from Ernakulam Siva Temple, go around the city, and culminate at the same place.
A ‘Devaprasnam’ should be conducted to make an important change in the temple’s tradition, he said. ‘Devaprasnam’ is considered to be the voice of the deity, he added.
Practical difficulties in implementing the verdict also need to be taken into account, he said.