Thiruvananthapuram, January 9: Amidst protests against the Supreme Court verdict to allow the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala Temple, a third woman visited the holy shrine on January 8, reported News 18. The 36-year-old woman has been identified as Manju. She also claimed that she had not taken any help from police to visit the holy shrine. Sabarimala Temple Row: Kerala Police Arrest RSS, BJP Workers For Mass Violence.

Earlier on January 2, two women identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga, visited Sabarimala temple. The women were reported to be in their late 40’s. They started their climb around midnight and reached the hilltop shrine after 3:45 am and left after praying to Lord Ayyappa. They were accompanied by police personnel. They had made an unsuccessful bid to visit Sabarimala temple on December 18. Sabarimala Temple Row: BJP Leader Meenakshi Lekhi Accuses Kerala CM of Violence, Says Women ‘Dressed as Transgender’ Were Escorted by Police.

Traditionally, girls and women in the menstruating age group of 10-50 years were barred from offering prayers at the temple, the presiding deity of which is 'Naishtika Brahmachari' (perennial celibate). Meanwhile, on January 4, a 46-year-old Sri Lankan woman – Sasikala – went walked up the “18 Holy Steps” without any hindrance at the Sabarimala temple. However, she was not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the Lord Ayyappa temple by the priests.

Kerala is witnessing a series of violent protest against the top court’s verdict. Till now, around 3,178 people have been arrested till now by the Kerala Police in connection with the violence across the state. Meanwhile, a total of 1,286 cases have been registered against 37,979 persons.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2019 07:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).