Sabarimala Board to Hold Meeting Tomorrow Ahead of Temple Reopening; Priests, Royal Family Invited

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15: Travancore Devaswam Board, which manages Kerala's Sabarimala temple, has invited representatives of the Pandalam Royal family, Sabarimala priests, and Hindu organisations, on Tuesday to discuss various crucial affairs ahead of the reopening of the temple.

The doors of Lord Ayyappa shrine is scheduled to open on October 17, implementing the recent Supreme Court's verdict that lifted a ban on entry of women aged between 10-50 years into the temple.

During the meeting, which will be held on Tuesday at 10 am at the Devaswam Board's office in Thiruvananthapuram, the current situation surrounding the uproar among a section of followers against the apex court ruling will also be discussed.

On September 28, the apex court allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple saying that "no physiological and biological factor can be given legitimacy if it doesn't pass the test of conditionality".

Although many, including the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government, have welcomed the decision, a section of followers have been staging protest across the country opposing the ruling. Sabarimala to 'Turn Into Thailand' If Women of All Ages Enter the Temple, They Should Not Complain If Molested, Says Former TDB President.

On Monday, a protest march led by the BJP was held in Thiruvananthapuram against the judgement. Supporters and activists of the Akhil Hindu Parishad on Sunday took to the streets of Thiruvananthapuram, demanding an ordinance in the Kerala legislative assembly against the verdict. Protests were also held in Chennai.