Sabarimala: Two women below 50 years of age enter temple?

Two women in the barred age group have reportedly entered the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala early Wednesday morning. According to reports, two women, Bindu and Kanakadurga, successfully completed their trek and worshipped the deity inside the temple. It is yet to be confirmed if the women are in the barred age group; however, they claim they are below 50 years of age. Bindu hails from Kozhikode, while Kanakadurga is from Malappuram district in Kerala. 

The women reportedly arrived at Pamba, the base station, around 1 am on Wednesday and held darshan around 3.30 am. The duo claimed that Kerala police had ensured their security en route to Sabarimala on Wednesday. Bindu told media that they entered the temple via the VIP lounge and did not take the traditional 'pathinettam padi' (holy steps leading to sanctum sanctorum). She added that a few devotees had identified them while they were on their trek. However, there were no resistance and they completed their trek.

This is the second time that both the women attempted visiting the Sabarimala hill shrine. Their first attempt on December 24 was abandoned after protests from Ayyappa devotees. 

Reportedly, the police ensured that the women's trek was carried out in a discreet manner. The Travancore Devaswom Board, the administrating board of the Sabarimala temple, however, claimed ignorant of the development. 

Women in the menstrual age group of 10 to 50 years were traditionally barred from visiting the Sabarimala temple. However, the Supreme Court had, on September 28, lifted the ban on entry of women in the barred age group. This had led to widespread protests across Kerala.