Women Ready To 'Wait' To Enter Ayyappa Shrine At Sabarimala

After the ban on entry of women of a certain age bracket into the shrine of Sabarimala temple in Kerala lifted by the Supreme court. Large number of women belonging to hindu community on Saturday (29 September) offered prayers in Tamil Nadu pledging that they would only visit the shrine after they cross 50 Age. This oath was taken by devotees of the Bharat Hindu Munnani at Gangadeeswara Temple.

Hindu Makkal Katchi chief Arjun Sampath said to PTI., 'Light Lamp' prayer meetings were held by his outfit in several temples in places including Coimbatore, Cuddalore and Tirupur.

"These are prayer meetings to reaffirm our faith in our customs. In such meetings, women visit temples only in accordance with our beliefs,"

He added that the women took a pledge to worship at the shrine only when they reach the age set accordingly as per customs and beliefs. Till than these women are ready to wait, this process of waiting is known as ‘Kathiruppom’.

As part of maintaining the age of old tradition, signatures were collected, and these will be given to the Travancore Devaswom Board, which is the administering body of the shrine.

Women of all ages can enter the Sabarimala temple - Supreme Court Verdict

Women of all ages can enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, the Supreme Court ordered today, ending an age-old ban on the entry of women between 10 and 50 years. 

"The practice of age restriction on women entry to Sabrimala temple can't be treated as an essential religious practice," said the court in a majority four-one judgement. The only judge who dissented on the five-judge constitution bench was  Justice Indu Malhotra. 

Women said to be of menstrual age are restricted from entering the temple as its presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is considered to be a celibate.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Misra had reserved its judgement on a bunch of petitions that challenge the ban on entry of women on August 1 after hearing the case for eight days. 

The other judges on the bench are Justices R.F. Nariman, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.

Source: NDTV

Can women between 10-50 years Enter Sabarimala? SC Verdict

Top court examines the rightness of banning women between 10-50 years from entering Kerala temple.

The historical judgment will be announced today Friday 28th September 10.30 am. A five-judge Constitution bench is closely hearing the case. Which is led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and consist of Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra. Four judgments will be delivered today. Justice Khanwilkar will be in agreement with one of the other judges. This verdict is definitely going to have an impact on temples across Kerala, and their traditions. Also will lead to impact the upcoming Sabarimala Season.

Will the top court in its judgment put an end to a centuries-old tradition barring women of menstruating age from entering Kerala's most famous temple?

Do let  us know your opinion on the comment section below.

Ready to clean Sabarimala temple free of cost

The All India Ayyappa Seva Sangham which has 5,416 branch units across the country and in other countries has expressed interest to provide help to clean Sabarimala Temple.

M G. Balakrishnan Pillai the Sangham’s presdent and former Rajya Sabha said this Sunday.

The Ayyappa Seva Sangham is ready to send 2,000 volunteers to clean the temple and its surroundings including Pamba free of cost.

Earlier the Sangam has already donated Rs. 10 lakh to the Travancore Devaswom Board for revival of River Pamba.

Restrictions on visiting Sabarimala lifted, temple will open September 16

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Good News for all Ayyappa Devotee!! Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple would be now open for the five-day customary puja starting from Malayalam month 'Kanni' September 16 and Officials said on Thursday that restrictions to visit the temple is now been lifted.

The major challenge for devotees is the parking service which is only allowed at Nilackal base station.

However, arrangements are been made by Kerala State Road Transport Bus for transporting the devotees till Pampa at the foothills to enable their trekking to the hill shrine.

The temple will remain open till September 21. After a high-level meeting to review the post-flood situation at Pampa, TDB president M Padmakumar said the Tata Projects Ltd has agreed to take up the reconstruction work.

Read : List of Ayyappa Temples in Kerala

The TDB and Tata Projects has promised to take all necessary steps to provide better facilities for devotees during the upcoming 3-month pilgrimage season beginning on November 17.

Read: History of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

The TDB had recently constructed a temporary footbridge 'Ayyappa Sethu,' across the Pampa by placing stones and sandbags.

The 'Pampa-Triveni bridge-over-river', which got submerged in the floods, was also restored to some extent.

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