New Delhi:
The Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala’s Sabarimala is thrown open for the monthly puja at 5:00 pm on Monday with security personnel on their toes in the backdrop of violent protests over entry of women of menstrual age. The protest follows the Supreme Court's September 28 order to permit women in the 10-50 age group to offer prayers at the Kerala shrine. At least 12 women had made a vain attempt to trek the hills soon after the verdict, however, had to return midway amid violent protests and threats from temple authorities to shut down the shrine. The door of the shrine will open at 5 pm on Monday and close at 10 pm on Tuesday.
Read More | Sabarimala reopens today, women journalists told to stay away
Several Hindu outfits have urged media houses not to depute women journalists to cover the issue ahead of its opening for the special puja. According to a Kerala police release, 1,500 personnel, 100 of them women, are keeping vigil at Sabarimala and nearby areas from Pamba to Sannidhaman.
Here are the highlights:
Sabarimala temple closes for the day after rendering 'Harivarasanam', will open tomorrow early morning
A 30-year-old woman Anju arrived at Pamba, with her husband and two children, to visit Sabarimala Temple. They've been taken to Pamba police station.Superintendent of Police Rahul Nair says she hasn't asked for police protection yet. If she does, they will provide her.
#Visuals from Kerala: A 30-yr-old woman Anju arrived at Pamba, with her husband&2 children, to visit #SabarimalaTemple. They've been taken to Pamba police station.Superintendent of Police Rahul Nair says "She hasn't asked for police protection yet. If she does, we'll provide her" pic.twitter.com/PfeU2BjWfD
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018
A 25-year-old woman, who seeks permission to climb up Sabarimala hill, along with her husband and two kids from Cherthala is yet to be allowed inside the temple. Police are verifying their background at the Pamba control
Devotees climb the sacred Pathinettam Padi to enter Sabarimala Temple to offer prayers
Kerala: Devotees climb the sacred Pathinettam Padi to enter #SabarimalaTemple to offer prayers. The temple, which opened this evening, will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening. pic.twitter.com/jfLfc0A6jt
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018
Kerala: Devotees throng Sabarimala Temple after its portals opened this evening. The temple will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening
Kerala: Devotees throng #SabarimalaTemple after its portals opened this evening. The temple will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening. pic.twitter.com/1RwqqyeMDp
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018
Kerala High Court says that devotees and media at Sabarimala Temple should not be blocked. The government should not interfere in day to day activities of the temple. A department level inquiry must be conducted on policemen who had damaged the vehicles.
Police deployed at Nilakkal base camp as Sabarimala Temple is scheduled to open for prayers today evening.
#Kerala: Police deployed at Nilakkal base camp as #SabarimalaTemple is scheduled to open for prayers today evening. pic.twitter.com/iq7LWFD237
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018
evotees begin the trek from Nilakkal base camp to #SabarimalaTemple. The temple will open today evening and will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening.
#Kerala: Devotees begin the trek from Nilakkal base camp to #SabarimalaTemple. The temple will open today evening and will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening. pic.twitter.com/nK47UGMang
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018
Devotees begin to gather at Nilakkal base camp as Sabarimala Temple is set to open today. Nilakkal base camp in-charge Manjunath H says, "There is adequate police deployment here. We are not restricting the movement of devotees."
#Kerala: Devotees begin to gather at Nilakkal base camp as #SabarimalaTemple is set to open today. Nilakkal base camp in-charge Manjunath H says, "There is adequate police deployment here. We are not restricting the movement of devotees." pic.twitter.com/OzJDGABRfU
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018
Kerala: Security deployed at Nilakkal base camp as #SabarimalaTemple will open for a day tomorrow pic.twitter.com/OdMnb3j5H7
— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2018
Around 1500 police personnel have been deployed from Pamba to Sannidhanam: IG Ashok Yadav to ANI on #SabarimalaTemple to open for a day tomorrow #Kerala pic.twitter.com/3bKEV8Tfm1
— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2018
