Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple: Age proof must for women devotees

Kerala, Jan 05: Women visiting the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala in Kerala will have to produce an authentic age proof document. Notably, the entry of female devotees in the age group of 10-50 years is banned in the temple. The decision has been taken in the wake of the ongoing pilgrim season in view of the increasing instances of women devotees trying to trek to the hillock shrine defying the restrictions.

The final leg of the three-month-long annual pilgrim season will end on January 14, with the Makaravilakku festival.

Women in the menstruating age group are restricted from offering prayers at Sabarimala because the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa is considered to be a 'naishtika brahmachari'.