Sabarimala, December 19: Pathanamthitta Magistrate Court has extended the prohibitory orders in Sabarimala Temple till the midnight of December 22. The decision has been taken based on the reports by the District Police Chief and Executive magistrates in Pamba and Sannidhanam. Early this month the Kerala government had made it clear that the prohibitory orders imposed at the Sabarimala temple cannot be withdrawn. Sabarimala Temple Verdict: Doors For Ayyappa Darshan Open For Women of All Age Groups.

State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran had said in the Assembly that the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government was not adamant in facilitating the entry of young women at the hilltop temple and it would not have been difficult to take thousands of such women there, if it had really wanted.

Meanwhile, yesterday, four transgenders, who were earlier stopped from proceeding towards the Lord Ayyappa temple offered prayers at the hill shrine under a heavy police security cover. Ananya, Trupti, Renjumol and Avanthika, clad in traditional black sarees and carrying the customary "Irrumudikettu"(sacred offerings to the deity), were escorted by police from Nilackal to Pamba and during the trek to the shrine.

Over a dozen women have so far made unsuccessful attempts to trek the holy hills. The high court had earlier this month appointed the three-member committee, vesting them with powers to oversee law and order and other problems faced by pilgrims during the ongoing annual season.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2018 09:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).