The Supreme Court Of India lifted the ban on women between the ages of 10-50 years from entering this Kerala shrine.
Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is one of the most revered and prominent shrines in Kerala, attracting lakhs of devotees from across the country.
Speaking on the verdict, Harinarayanan Kandanath, Journalist and Social Worker working for the the Malayali community in Pune says, “This restriction came around 50 years ago. Prior to that there wasn’t such an issue. The Sabarimala trek is also very difficult and pilgrims are required to observe a 41 days routine.
Women between 10 to 50 often find it inconvenient to observe the rigorous fast continuously for 41 days often because of the weakness and discomfort during the menstrual cycle and it becomes very challenging physically. This is the only reason.
The practice that has been followed allows only for people who have completed this routine to perform the rituals in the temple. All females below 10 and over 50 can enter.
There restriction for this age group is just like most other shrines of every faith where the devotees also stay away during some days. I have taken my daughter when she was four and will now take my little grand daughter too. Also, the temple is open for only five days in a month.
The problem is that the judges may not relate to the essence of our tradition in Kerala and understand what the real problems are. We are not against women or gender equality.
In our indian culture, a lady who has her periods will not go to a place of worship, be it a temple or a mosque. It may be only a olden day practice or ritual but I think, it is important to respect it.
I personally feel that the verdict has been announced without understanding the ground reality and sentiment around the temple. Also, on matters of faith and rituals, the court should not really intervene.
I will not prevent my daughter who is 30 from going to the temple if she wants to, but, we need to respect the sentiments and the religious practices followed over decades if we are believers” adds Harinarayan
PC Nambiar, General Secretary, Dehu Road Ayyappa Temple share that Sabrimala temple is not a place of worship like any other.
“A court or anyone for that matter cannot measure the cosmic energy in the temple and this can be checked only by experts.
Any tampering with the practices that have been followed may negatively impact the temple. The temple ethos involves consecration of the presiding deity with a philosophy. Also, the behavioural pattern of the devotees are designed with reference to that principle.
When the Ayyappa temple was consecrated, it was not designed to allow any women during their menstrual cycle or in their reproductive age. Hence, I do not support the SC order.
Faith is different from the law.
“There is nothing wrong with allowing ladies in the temple, but not during their menstrual cycle. Also, the entrance and the premises of the temple is very small and is not a public place. It will be very difficult to create infrastructure to segregate the men and women to allow for secure entry.
We aren’t questioning female equality, but I do not believe that the SC has taken reference to the vedic principles of the temple.
A systematic de-culturalisation of the temple philosophy is what we are witnessing with today’s generation not knowing what temples are about.
“Will women feel safe in a train compartment full of men? Earlier, there was no disrespect for the women, but today the cultural values are diluted and different.
Also, the male worshipers once they take the fast, wear the ‘mala’ (sacred necklace) and change robes and get ready for the ‘Puja’ they are called ‘swamis’ akin to ‘Vishwamitra’.
There are social, spiritual, social and intellectual reasons for opposing the court judgement. Every aspect in the society cannot be brought under the law.
There are some conventions and practices that must be respected in the interest of preserving our culture,” adds Nambiar.
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#All views expressed in this article are those of the individual respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them.
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