‘Real women devotees’ of Lord Ayyappa unlikely to visit Sabarimala temple

KOCHI Oct 1: Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar on Sunday said “real women devotees” of Lord Ayyappa are unlikely to visit the Sabarimala temple and only “women activists” will undertake the pilgrimage.

The Board will also consider filing a review petition in the apex court, citing the difficulties and challenges faced by it in implementing its order, he said.

Expressing disappointment over the verdict, Padmakumar said the apex court had taken into account only constitutional, fundamental and gender issues while considering the entry of women into the shrine.

The unique geographical aspects and specific circumstances at the hill temple should have also been considered, he said.

“During the last annual pilgrim season, devotees had to stand in queue for over 17 continuous hours on a particular day due to the unprecedented rush,” Padmakumar told PTI.

Around 5.5 lakh devotees had been at the shrine during the last ‘Makaravilakku’ day on January 14.

“Is it possible for women to trek kilometers through the forest path and stand amongst the packed crowd?” he said.

The TDB chief said the real devotees who respect the traditions and rituals of Sabarimala and know the circumstances there were not likely to visit the shrine.

“Only some women activists are expected to trek the holy hill in the name of the verdict,” he said.

The TDB, however, will provide all possible facilities for women devotees who will reach the shrine from October 16, when it opens for this year’s three month long annual pilgrimage season, Mr. Padmakumar said.

It will be very difficult and challenging for the Board to provide any special amenities for devotees in the present context, he said.