Nilakkal, October 19: The head priest of Sabarimala temple (Tantri) on Friday threatened to shut the doors of shrine if there was any violation of tradition and faith. The Pandalam Palace Trust also wrote a letter to functionaries of Sabarimala temple asking them to shut down the temple if any ritual was broken.

Speaking to ANI, Sabarimala temple head priest Kandaru Rajeevaru said he would be forced to close down the temple if there was any violation of tradition and faith. He said he stands with devotees who are against the Supreme Court's ruling allowing entry of women of all age group inside Sabarimala temple. Sabarimala Temple Women's Entry: Modi Government Warned Kerala, Two Other States of Protests by Hindu Groups.

In a letter, addressed to the executive and the administrative officers of the Sabarimala Devaswom, the Pandalam Palace Trust said that if anything happens at the temple against the rituals, it must be shut down. In case the rituals are broken, the temple should be re-opened only after the tantri or the head priest cleanses the shrine, the letter said. Sabarimala Devotees Visit Vavar Mosque Before Arriving at the Temple, Here Is Why.

The Pandalam Royal family, who claimed to have a strong bond with Lord Ayyappa, had earlier said that if all women are allowed to enter the temple then the Lord would curse devotees with bad fortune. Three women who trekked today from the Pamba base camp had to return after the protesters lay on the road leading to the hilltop temple.

The Supreme Court last month overturned a centuries-old practice and allowed women of menstruating age between 10 and 50 years to enter the shrine of Lord Ayyappa nestled in the Western Ghats. (With ANI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 19, 2018 04:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).