Sabarimala LIVE updates: Reportedly, the women started their climb around midnight. (Video grab)More than three months after the Supreme Court allowed women of menstruating age to enter Kerala’s Sabarimala temple, two women in their 40s allegedly entered the shrine Wednesday. The women, identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga, reached inside the sanctum sanctorum early morning with help of the police who were in mufti. They started their climb around midnight and got darshan at 3: 45 am.
A recording of their entry into the shrine has been doing rounds on WhatsApp. According to the video footage, the women have not climbed the sacred 18 steps used by pilgrims who take the 41-day vow and carry the sacred offering of ‘irumudikettu‘. They have used a side entrance, used by VIPs and the media, which gets them directly in front of the sopanam and into the sanctum of the temple.
It's our responsibility to give protection to those who come to temple: Kerala DGP
It's confirmed that the sanctum sanctorum is closed for purification rituals
It is confirmed now that the sanctum sanctorum is closed for purification rituals. It's common in situations when blood is split or a baby urinates or stray animals enter the inner sanctum or women of menstrual age enter.
Watch: Two women enter Sabarimala today
Sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala temple is closed now
The sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple has since been closed. There are unconfirmed reports that purification rituals are being performed.
Temple priests are checking CCTV footage
Meanwhile, hectic talks are in progress at Sabarimala between the priest family and officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board. They are checking CCTV footage to verify the claim of the two women. They were accorded special treatment and given entry through a VIP gate is likely to fuel protests. The men accompanying them also shot the videos on cellphone in a place where filming is strictly prohibited.
CM Vijayan confirms women entry to Sabarimala
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that the women went inside the sanctum sanctorum. "There were hurdles for women to climb and enter Sabarimala temple. If they have entered the temple today, there must not have been any hurdles. It is true that they have entered. Police had been given instructions to provide protection to any woman who wants to climb, Vijayan said.
Sabarimala LIVE updates: Tight security at Kanakadurga’s house
The two women, in their 40s, are believed to have got darshan at 3: 45 am with the help of police in mufti and they had returned to Pamba after entering the temple as soon as possible. Tight security arrangement has been made at Kanakadurga’s house, fearing protests. Her family has also been shifted to a safe location.
Women used a side entrance, used by VIPs and media to enter Sabarimala temple
According to the visuals, the women have not climbed the sacred 18 steps, used by pilgrims who take the 41-day vow and carry the sacred offering of 'irumudikettu'. They have used a side entrance, used by VIPs and the media, which gets them directly in front of the sopanam and into the sanctum of the temple.Police officials at the base camp of Pampa said they had no clue where the two women are at the moment.
The women started their climb around midnight
The women, Bindu and Kanakadurga, started their climb around midnight and reached inside the sanctum sanctorum early morning at 3:45 am. These are the same women who had attempted to climb on December 23rd.
Welcome to our Live blog. Two women reportedly in their 40s allegedly entered the shrine Wednesday. A recording of their entry shows they have used a side entrance, used by VIPs and the media, which gets them directly in front of the sopanam and into the sanctum of the temple. Follow Live updates