As per tradition, only men were allowed entry daily between 6-7 am into the area where the main 'linga' is placed, that too by putting on a specific gear called the sovala (silk clothing).
'I want the Supreme Court to give directions to the government of Kerala that they must give protection to all those women who want to enter Sabarimala.'
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made it clear that the Left government was with the believers.
'This is an issue that is larger than the interests of any one party.'
Temple priest performed a 'purification' ritual for an hour before the doors were opened again.
A 12-hour hartal is being observed against the preventive detention of a Hindu Aikya Vedi leader.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pointed out that since the court had not stayed its September 28 verdict, there was no other option but to allow women in the age group of 10-50 years during the upcoming pilgrim season.
'If we do not enter the temple, then history won't be made and all wrong rituals will get continue to be followed.' 'If they resort to violence against women and abuse them, how can they be Ayyappa Swamy's bhakts?'
After several women were prevented from entering the Sabarimala shrine after the Supreme Court verdict upheld their right to do so, Bindu and Kanakadurga managed the seemingly impossible. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com finds out how they did it.
The court said, "The ban imposed on women from entering the Haji Ali dargah is contrary to Articles 14, 15, 19 and 25 of the Constitution of India."
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