Sabarimala row: Temple opens after purification rituals as two women enter shrine

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Authorities reopened Kerala’s Sabarimala temple an hour after they had shut it for “purification rituals” hours after two women in their early 40s claimed to have entered the sanctum sanctorum. The temple authorities had observed earlier that the (temple) tradition has been “violated” following the women’s entry.


The two women - Bindu Ammini and Kanaka Durga - entered the temple at around 3.30am on Wednesday, with the former saying that "despite spending quality time in the temple premises", they faced no opposition from the Ayyappa devotees.

The two women carried customary ‘irumudi kettu’ and wore a black dress. “We skipped the 18 steps due to security reasons and used the VIP entry for darshan. There was a good number of devotees. So, we couldn’t spend much time inside the temple. However, we spent quality time at the temple premises. Devotees recognized us and asked whether we had darshan. Policemen in mufti provided us security,” Bindu told TOI.

When asked whether they fear any backlash, Bindu said that she and Kanaka Durga enjoyed the support of the society. Referring to a recent media report, Bindu said that even college students wearing black dress were being targeted as a terrorist. “So you will be branded as a terrorist or anti-social even if you sit inside your house. So I don’t worry at all,” she said.

On the allegation that the Supreme Court permitted entry of ‘believers only’, Bindu asked whether the mediapersons and other professionals standing on the temple premises were believers. “If a male journalist could enter and a female is not allowed, it is a violation of Article 14, which was criticized by the apex court,” she said, adding, that they would meet the press soon.

Last month, Bindu and Kanaka Durga were forced to go back from Sabarimala following protest of Sabarimala Karma Samiti, which is opposing women's entry. Sources said that the two women launched a satyagraha, which was ended only after police promised to provide security.

Meanwhile, a group of dalit and Adivasi women are planning to enter Sabarimala. The meeting regarding this will be held at Kochi on Wednesday.