Watch: Do Women of Kerala Want to Go to Sabarimala Temple?
Women of Kerala speak up about whether they approve of the SC verdict allowing women to enter Sabarimala temple.
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Video Editor: Vishal Kumar
Cameraperson: Syed Shiyaz Mirza
The countdown has begun. In just a few days, the gates of the Sabarimala temple will be opened to all men and women. But for this, many in Kerala are fuming.
On 28 September, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by former chief justice Dipak Misra lifted the ban on the entry of women of all ages into the shrine.
Thousands of people including women have taken to the streets condemning the legislature for intruding into tradition and faith.
The Kerala government has however promised full cooperation in implementing the court order and is busy making arrangements.
The Sabarimala Story
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Every year over 15 million devotees visit the temple.
Legend has it that there once was a kingdom of Pandalam where the royal family was childless. One day, the king found a baby boy in a forest. He adopted the baby and named him Manikanda. A few years later, the queen gave birth to a boy. At the age of 12, when the king wanted to formally anoint Manikanda as the heir, the queen, under the influence of an evil minister, objected. She wanted to make her biological child the next king.
The queen sent Maanikanda to the forest to fetch "tigress' milk" to cure her illness. To everyone’s surprise, Manikanda returned with the milk riding a tigress. The kingdom realised he was a divine being. However, Manikanda renounced the kingdom and became an ascetic. He then shot an arrow into what became the Sabarimala and the young boy transformed into Ayyappan.
Since time immemorial, only pre-menstrual and post menopausal women were allowed entry. In 1991, the Kerala High Court specified the age limit (below 10 years and above 50 years).
The pilgrimage to Sabarimala requires devotees to hold 41 days of vratham. The devotee who has taken the vow is required to strictly follow rules that include following a lacto-vegetarian diet, celibacy, teetotalism, avoidance of profanity and only wearing a plain black or blue coloured traditional clothing. Those who do not follow the vratham are allowed in through a separate entrance, and may not climb up the last 18 steps to the shrine.
The present verdict has challenged a belief system that has been in place for decades.
We asked the women of Kerala whether they approved of the verdict. Their opinions were divided.
‘Why Meddle with Our Faith?’
Some women said that they have grown up listening to the legend and vehemently oppose the legislature interfering with such an ancient practice.
“Sabarimala is an ecologically sensitive place. I am not saying women cannot go there
but it is very difficult. For women, you need to make establishments for stay, proper toilets, a sustainable waste management system. This is why there is a rule women shouldn't go. Only a limited number of people should visit,” said Devi Sanjay from Trivandrum.
Sandhya from Trivandrum also echoed the same sentiments. She says that women will not be able to keep the vow for 41 days and so should not go to Sabarimala.
‘God Is for All’
Many young women, on the other hand, also believe that ‘regressive’ traditions have to change and this order has been long overdue. Some say that it is high time we stop looking at women as impure beings and accept menstruation as just another bodily function.
“No one can restrict us from entering any place. It is our right to go where we want to. Just because we are female and go through menstruation from the age of 15-45, we are not able to go to temples. I don’t see any logic here,” said Hashifa from Kannur.
Other women said that they might not go to Sabarimala but they are glad that it will be up to them to make that choice.
The temple will open its doors for all on 17 October and the Kerala government is making all arrangements to ensure complete security for women. But the mood is quite tense as tempers continue to soar high.
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