The Sabarimala temple opened on Friday for the annual 62-day pilgrimage season amid unprecedented security arrangements following protests against the entry of women to the temple even as the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) decided to move the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement its order allowing entry to women of all ages. The decision by the TDB, which manages the hill shrine, was announced by its president A. Padmakumar in Pampa, minutes after the temple doors were opened in the evening.
The day witnessed a tense stand off at the Cochin International Airport after protesters prevented activist and leader of the Bhumata Brigade Trupti Desai from proceeding to the temple.
Ms. Desai, who arrived at the airport early in the morning along with six other women, could not leave the terminal as protesters chanting prayers staged a sit-in outside. After several rounds of discussions with the police and revenue officials, Ms. Desai decided call off her visit and return to Pune.