Temple board firm on no entry to women between 10 to 50 in Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) that looks after the affairs of the famed Sabarimala temple is firm on its stand that it does not wish to allow entry of females in the age group of 10 to 50 into the temple.

Addressing reporters here on Monday, TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan said the custom of the temple for the past 800 years is that women in this age group are not allowed and we do not wish to change that.

"We have submitted the astrological examination (devaprasnam) of three committees which forbids the entry of women between 10 and 50 to the temple to the Supreme Court, where the case is currently being heard. The last such examination took place on June 18, 2014," said Gopalakrishnan.

He said they wish to take forward the customs and beliefs of Sabarimala temple.

"We are not against entry of women as of the four crore devotees who visited the temple in the last season, women accounted for half a million. All that we wish to state and which has already been intimated to the apex court is that women between 10 and 50 should not be allowed entry," said the TDB president.

TDB's statement comes at a time when the CPI-M-led Kerala government has a different view and wishes to allow entry to all women, while the previous Oommen Chandy government was of the view that the temple customs should be followed.

"We are of the firm view, that the apex court will not allow to alter the traditions, and in case that happens, we are certain that no women in the age group 10 to 50 will come to the temple because beliefs will always be adhered to," added Gopalakrishnan.