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1. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
What is Sabarimala issue
By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo

2. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
1. About
2. The pilgrimage
3. Women pilgrims
4. Protesters
5. References
Table of Contents

3. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
About
Sabarimala is a Hindu temple complex located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, India. It is one
of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world with an estimated 17-20 million devotees visiting
every year.
Ayyappan's temple is situated amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of
480 m (1,574 ft) above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The
dense forest (Periyar Tiger Reserve) around the temple is known as Poongavanam.
Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist
at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilakkal, Kalaketty, and Karimala remnants of old
temples survive to this day on remaining hills.
The shrine at Sabarimala is an ancient temple of Ayyappan also known as sasta and Dharmasasta.
In the 12th century, Manikandan, a prince of Pandalam dynasty, meditated at Sabarimala temple
and became one with the divine. Manikandan was an avatar of Ayyappan. Sabarimala is linked to
pilgrimage predominantly undertaken by Hindus. Sabarimala pilgrims can be identified easily, as
they wear black or blue dress. They do not shave until the completion of the pilgrimage, and
smear Vibhuti or sandal paste on their forehead.

4. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
2. The pilgrimage
The devotees are expected to follow a Vratham (41-day austerity period) prior to the pilgrimage. This
begins with wearing of a special Mala (a chain made of Rudraksha or Tulasi beads is commonly used,
though still other types of chains are available.).
During the 41 days of Vratham, the devotee who has taken the vow, is required to strictly follow the
rules that include follow only a lacto-vegetarian diet (In India, vegetarianism is synonymous with lacto-
vegetarianism), follow celibacy, follow teetotalism, not use any profanity and have to control the anger,
allow the hair and nails to grow without cutting. They must try their maximum to help others, and see
everything around them as lord Ayyappa. They are expected to bath twice in a day and visit the local
temples regularly and only wear plain black or blue coluored traditional clothing.

5. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
3. Women pilgrims
Before the Kerala High Court's 1991 verdict, women visited the temple even though in small numbers,
mainly for practical non-religious reasons.Women pilgrims above the age of 50 would visit the temple
to conduct the first rice-feeding ceremony of their children (Chorroonu) in the temple premises. On
May 13, 1940, even the Maharani of Tranvancore had visited the temple.
In 1991, Justice K Paripoornan and Justice K Balanarayana Marar of the Kerala High Court in their
ruling against the Travancore Devaswom Board, banned entry of women between ages above the age
of 10 and below the age of 50 from offering worship at Sabarimala Shrine during any period of the
year stating that such restriction was in accordance with the usage prevalent from time immemorial. In
addition, the Justices of the High court directed the Government of Kerala, to use police force to
ensure the order to ban entry of women to the temple was implemented and complied with.

6. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
4. Protesters
The Sabarimala temple opened it to devotees today, after a day of protests
against the entry of women into the Lord Ayappa temple. The protests turned
violent, with several protesters clashing with the police near the hilltop temple.
Despite heavy police security, women journalists were beaten and their crew
attacked. Kerala Left-led government has called these attacks politically
motivated violence.

7. By Kiran Varma - IndianlawInfo
5. References
All content used here are under free to use policy of cc.5.0 all the credits for the creators and
developers all the sources are mentioned below for more details please use the references.
Content Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabarimala
https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/sabarimala-temple-body-to-meet-soon-as-protests-grow-over-
womens-entry-1932707
Image Sources:
https://rightlog.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Sabarimala-Ayyapa-Temple-18-Golden-Steps.jpg