Chaos and mayhem on the road leading from Nilackal, the gateway to the shrine, 20 km away, to Pamba in the foothills from where the devotees start the arduous 6-km trek to Sabarimala reigned supreme, as activists of fought pitched battles with police, leaving many injured and bleeding. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Incensed over Kerala's Left Front government's decision not to file a review plea against the Supreme Court verdict, protesters pelted police with stones and the latter hit right back with vengeance wielding batons with telling effect, leaving many fallen and writhing in pain on the road. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Soon after, a heavy contingent of police personnel arrived at the spot to take control, following which peace reigned for a couple of hours. Things went out of control around 9 am when thousands of devotees from across the state swamped the protest venue. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Police patrolling has also been strengthened in Pamba, Nilakkal, Erumely, Chengannur, Panthalam and Vandiperiyar. Section 144 has been imposed at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, as well as in Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavunkal. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Simmering tension prevailing in Nilackal since morning erupted into raucous rowdyism as scores of activists of fringe groups heckled women journalists of at least four national TV channels and vandalised their vehicles. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Almost 24 hours into the blockade, the situation shows no signs of abating. In an obvious move to placate them, the police prevent all private vehicles from going beyond Nilakkal. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Madhavi, who had come with her children and parents from Andhra Pradesh, was forced to abandon the pilgrimage after they were heckled and intimidated by the protesters. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Even as streets in Nilackal and Pamba erupted in tumult, thousands of bare-chested Ayyappa devotees waited patiently in the vast concourse outside Sabarimala for its gates to open at the appointed hour-5 pm. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)
Melshanthi Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 5 pm in the presence of Thanthri Kandararu Rajeevaru. (Photo| B P Deepu/EPS)