The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, has feigned ignorance about the statement given in the State government’s affidavit before the Supreme Court that 51 women in the age group of 10 to 50 years have offered prayers at the temple during the ongoing annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
Talking to reporters on Friday, TDB members K.P. Sankaradas and N. Vijayakumar said the government’s statement may be correct. But, the TDB had no proof to substantiate it, they said.
The TDB members said there was no reason to doubt the government’s statement as these women devotees may not have visited Sabarimala for publicity. Real devotees reached Sabarimala and offered prayers without making any fuss or publicising their visit, they said.
‘‘The government’s affidavit shows that the Supreme Court verdict is in force at Sabarimala. It means that women of all ages can undertake the pilgrimage,’’ Mr. Sankaradas said.
He said that Ayyappa devotees wished for a calm and quiet atmosphere at Sabarimala and they would never venture into any act which could damage the sanctity of the temple.