The situation in Sabarimala continues to be tense, according to a Travancord Devaswom Board officer, with people, mainly Ayyappa devotees expessing disappointment with the Supreme Court ruling on 28 September 2018. The temple reopens for the five-day monthly “Kumbham” pooja.
This ruling helped two women of menstruating age to enter the temple with police protection and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa, a few days before Makar Sankranti. This set off unrest in Kerala, with some people arguing not to tamper with a centuries-old tradition, and some people supporting the two men, in the name of gender equality.
The temple was closed soon after the two women visited, raising the hackles of those supportinng the Supreme Court verdict.
Travancore Devaswom Board officer D Sudheesh Kumar says that the situation is tense because all Ayyappa devotees are disappointed with the Supreme Court ruling. He says he cannot rule out violent protests by devotees when the temple opens for the “Kumbham” pooja and women enter it.
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