Sabarimala HIGHLIGHTS| Amid massive security, shrine opens for two days
The shrine would open at 5 pm Monday for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" special puja slated for the next day, marking the birthday of last king of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.
Heavy security personnel deployed at Pamba where media persons were not allowed. (Photo | B P Deepu/EPS)
As the Lord Ayyappa temple opened Monday for a special puja, security has been intesified by the Kerala police and orders banning assembly of four or more people have been imposed in Sabarimala and nearby areas.
Section 144 has been imposed, around 2300 police personnel are deployed.
This is the second time the hill temple would open for 'darshan' after the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of all age groups into it.
The temple had witnessed high drama last month following frenzied protests leading to around a dozen women in the age group of 10-50 being prevented from reaching it and police and the agitators fighting a pitched battle over the LDF government's decision to implement the court order.
The shrine would open at 5 pm Monday for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" special puja slated for the next day, marking the birthday of last king of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, and close at 10 pm on that day.
#Sabarimala: Basic infrastructure facilities to be completed by November 14, Travancore Devaswom Board informs Kerala High Court @NewIndianXpress
No one will be allowed to stay overnight at the guest houses in Sannidhanam tonight, say Kerala cops.
KSRTC begins services from Nilakkal to Pamba. Heavy police security at Pamba.
Women cops aged above 50 deployed
#Sabarimala: For the first time 15 women cops aged above 50 years, deployed at Sannidhanam. More pilgrims started moving to Pamba from Nilakkal and Erumeli @NewIndianXpress
Hundreds of pilgrims at Nilakkal and Erumeli were seen arguing as they faced repeated obstacles from the police from advancing. What irked them most was the insistence to check their identity proofs and answer questions as they tried to reach the sanctum sanctorum that would close at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, reported IANS.
Devotees, who arrived at Erumeli since Sunday evening, protested this morning for not being allowed to leave for Pamba and Sannidhanam. They blocked traffic chanting 'Ayyappa Sarnam'.
The Kerala government has hardened its stance over implementing the court’s order and for that purpose, has resorted to targeting devotees and demonstrators. This is viewed and also projected as anti-devotee/anti-Hindu.
Devotees begin trek from Nilakkal
#Kerala: Devotees begin the trek from Nilakkal base camp to #SabarimalaTemple. The temple will open today evening and will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening. pic.twitter.com/nK47UGMang
Dismissing reports of an undeclared ban being imposed on the media at Sabarimala, DGP Loknath Behera on Sunday said there were no such restrictions.
Several Hindu outfits in Kerala on Sunday urged media outlets not to depute women journalists to cover the issue as the Lord Ayyappa temple is set to open Monday for a special puja. In its letter to editors, the Sabarimala Karma Samiti said even the entry of women journalists belonging to this age group as part of their job was also likely to aggravate the situation.
Devotees begin to gather at Nilakkal base camp as Sabarimala Temple is set to open today. Nilakkal base camp in-charge Manjunath H says, "There is adequate police deployment here. We are not restricting the movement of devotees." (ANI)
No women devotees expected, says NDTV
Women cops over the age of 50, stand guard inside the temple
Kerala: Devotees climb the sacred Pathinettam Padi to enter #SabarimalaTemple to offer prayers. The temple, which opened this evening, will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening. pic.twitter.com/jfLfc0A6jt
Kerala: Devotees throng #SabarimalaTemple after its portals opened this evening. The temple will be closed after the 'Athazha puja' tomorrow evening. pic.twitter.com/1RwqqyeMDp
Sabarimala gates open. Around 2300 policemen deployed and 20-member commando team has been called in.
The Kerala Police installed mobile jammers near the Sabarimala temple to prevent the tantri and other shrine officials from interacting with the media and to dissuade live visuals
#Sabarimala#BJP state president P S #SreedharanPillai says he had often questioned interference of govt in day-to-day affairs of Devaswom (temple affairs) Board. Endorsement of this stand by #Kerala High Court today is a slap on the LDF govt's face@BJP4Keralam@NewIndianXpress
#Sabarimala#BJP state president P S #SreedharanPillai says he had often questioned interference of govt in day-to-day affairs of Devaswom (temple affairs) Board. Endorsement of this stand by #Kerala High Court today is a slap on the LDF govt's face@BJP4Keralam@NewIndianXpress
Kerala BJP admits steering Sabarimala protest from October 17 to 22
Kerala BJP has admitted that the ongoing Sabrimala agitation was planned and executed by the party as part of its 'agenda'. The state BJP president Sreedharan Pillai said the 'tantri' had discussed with him the option of closing down the sanctum sanctorum to prevent women of reproductive age from entering the shrine.
Women cops on duty at Sannidhanam in Sabarimala. It is for the first time in the history of Sabarimala that female cops , aged above 50, have been deployed at Sannidhanam at Sabarimala for security duty.(Photo | BP Deepu/EPS)
