The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has sought an explanation from the Tantri (chief priest) of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala for the "purification" ritual, held after two women of menstruating age entered the hilltop shrine.

The board has asked Tantri to provide an explanation within 15 days as he has the final authority on issues relating to temples, including ceremonies, rites, practices, etc.

On September 28 last year, the Supreme Court has lifted a ban on entry of age group between 10 to 50 years into the Lord Ayyappa shrine, the "purification" process was against the verdict of the apex court.

The incident comes days after two women below 50 years, Bindu and Kanakadurga, entered the Lord Ayyappa temple to offer prayers.

Following this, purification process took place in the temple and violent protests broke out across the state with agitators pelting stones and blocking national highways.

Several parties including BJP also held a protest march in most parts of the state against the entry of women into the hilltop shrine. (ANI)&nbsp;

The board has asked the priest to provide an explanation within 15 days as he has the final authority on issues relating to temples, including ceremonies, rites, practices, etc.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has sought an explanation from the Tantri (chief priest) of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala for the "purification" ritual, held after two women of menstruating age entered the hilltop shrine. The board has asked Tantri to provide an explanation within 15 days as he has the final authority on issues relating to temples, including ceremonies, rites, practices, etc. On September 28 last year, the Supreme Court has lifted a ban on entry of age group between 10 to 50 years into the Lord Ayyappa shrine, the "purification" process was against the verdict of the apex court. The incident comes days after two women below 50 years, Bindu and Kanakadurga, entered the Lord Ayyappa temple to offer prayers. Following this, purification process took place in the temple and violent protests broke out across the state with agitators pelting stones and blocking national highways. Several parties including BJP also held a protest march in most parts of the state against the entry of women into the hilltop shrine. (ANI)

Sabarimala row: Travancore Devaswom Board seeks explanation from temple priest for purification ritual

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement its verdict allowing women of all age groups to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple.

The Board, which manages the hill shrine, has cited lack of basic amenities among other things as the reason for seeking more time from the top court.

The announcement on the TDB's move came amid mounting tension against the backdrop of the stand-off over entry of women in the 10-50 age group, traditionally barred at the shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a celibate.

Pilgrims had said there was lack of adequate toilet facilities, causing immense difficulties especially to women, and rest rooms after the floods in August that had destroyed the infrastructure.

The top court had earlier refused to stay its verdict while agreeing to hear in open court a batch of petitions seeking review of its September 28 verdict by which it had lifted the ban on entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple.

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in 4:1 verdict had paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, saying the ban amounted to gender discrimination.&nbsp;

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement its verdict allowing women of all age groups to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement its verdict allowing women of all age groups to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple. The Board, which manages the hill shrine, has cited lack of basic amenities among other things as the reason for seeking more time from the top court. The announcement on the TDB's move came amid mounting tension against the backdrop of the stand-off over entry of women in the 10-50 age group, traditionally barred at the shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a celibate. Pilgrims had said there was lack of adequate toilet facilities, causing immense difficulties especially to women, and rest rooms after the floods in August that had destroyed the infrastructure. The top court had earlier refused to stay its verdict while agreeing to hear in open court a batch of petitions seeking review of its September 28 verdict by which it had lifted the ban on entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple. On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in 4:1 verdict had paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, saying the ban amounted to gender discrimination.

Sabarimala: Travancore Devaswom Board moves SC seeking more time to implement verdict

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala shrine, would move the Supreme Court on Monday seeking more time to implement its order allowing women of menstrual age to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple.

The TDB's move comes a day after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, at an all-party meeting, took a firm stand that it was bound to implement the top court order and rejected suggestions by opposition parties that it seek time from the court.

"We will move the Supreme court on Monday through Advocate Chandra Uday Singh" TDB President A Padmakumar, told PTI.

The board had Friday said it would move the apex court either Saturday or Monday seeking more time to implement the September 28 verdict of the top court allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the Sabarimala shrine as it wanted the devotees to have peaceful 'darshan'.

The temple and surrounding areas have come under unprecedented security for the season which draws lakhs of devotees to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. 
The Supreme Court is slated to hear petitions seeking review of its September 28 order in January, but has refused to stay it.&nbsp;

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala shrine, would move the Supreme Court on Monday seeking more time to implement its order allowing women of menstrual age to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala shrine, would move the Supreme Court on Monday seeking more time to implement its order allowing women of menstrual age to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple. The TDB's move comes a day after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, at an all-party meeting, took a firm stand that it was bound to implement the top court order and rejected suggestions by opposition parties that it seek time from the court. "We will move the Supreme court on Monday through Advocate Chandra Uday Singh" TDB President A Padmakumar, told PTI. The board had Friday said it would move the apex court either Saturday or Monday seeking more time to implement the September 28 verdict of the top court allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the Sabarimala shrine as it wanted the devotees to have peaceful 'darshan'. The temple and surrounding areas have come under unprecedented security for the season which draws lakhs of devotees to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. The Supreme Court is slated to hear petitions seeking review of its September 28 order in January, but has refused to stay it.

Sabarimala row: Travancore Devaswom Board to move Supreme Court on Monday

The apex board managing the Sabarimala temple Tuesday skipped a discussion on the review petition to be filed against the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayappa temple.&nbsp;

The Travancore Devaswom Board Tuesday reviewed the arrangements at the hill shrine for the upcoming three-month long Mandala-Makaravillaku festival starting from November 16, temple sources said.&nbsp;

Discussion on the legal course to be taken against the court’s order was postponed as the writ petitions connected with the case has been posted for November 13, sources said.

The board is waiting for a legal opinion on the matter, they said. The Supreme Court Tuesday said it would hear on November 13 multiple petitions challenging the Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the shrine that remained unimplemented following week-long protests.

The board on Monday had stated that it would take up for discussion the matter Tuesday. It had said that it has the legal responsibility to protect the faith of devotees and the customs and traditions of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa shrine.

The apex board managing the Sabarimala temple Tuesday skipped a discussion on the review petition to be filed against the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayappa temple.

The apex board managing the Sabarimala temple Tuesday skipped a discussion on the review petition to be filed against the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayappa temple. The Travancore Devaswom Board Tuesday reviewed the arrangements at the hill shrine for the upcoming three-month long Mandala-Makaravillaku festival starting from November 16, temple sources said. Discussion on the legal course to be taken against the court’s order was postponed as the writ petitions connected with the case has been posted for November 13, sources said. The board is waiting for a legal opinion on the matter, they said. The Supreme Court Tuesday said it would hear on November 13 multiple petitions challenging the Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the shrine that remained unimplemented following week-long protests. The board on Monday had stated that it would take up for discussion the matter Tuesday. It had said that it has the legal responsibility to protect the faith of devotees and the customs and traditions of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa shrine.

Sabarimala row: Travancore Devaswom Board skips discussion on review petition

Travancore Devaswom Board on Friday announced its decision to move against the Supreme Court's verdict on Sabarimala. "We have decided to appeal against the Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala Temple," A Padmakumar, President of Travancore Devaswom Board told media on Friday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Central Friday issued an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sabarimala-row-centre-asks-kerala-tamil-nadu-karnataka-govts-to-tighten-security-monitor-adverse-online-messages-172332">advisory to the south Indian states</a> of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the wake of the ongoing protests against the Supreme Court's Sabarimala verdict.&nbsp;

The government asked the three states to tighten security and monitor any "adverse" online messages or social media content on the row.&nbsp;

"All necessary precautionary measures may be taken to maintain law and order and appropriate security arrangements may be made to prevent any untoward incident," the advisory, sent by the internal security division of the home ministry, said.

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We have decided to appeal against the Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SabarimalaTemple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SabarimalaTemple</a>: A Padmakumar, President, Travancore Devaswom Board <a href="https://t.co/BieAIwyqd5">pic.twitter.com/BieAIwyqd5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1053253153578196992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Also, the Congress in Kerala alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was responsible for the present tense situation at Lord Ayappa temple in Sabarimala.

Attacking Vijayan, who is in UAE, Kerala PCC president Mullapally Ramachandran said, "Vijayan is like the Roman emperor Nero who fiddled while Rome burned."

"The chief minister is holidaying in the Gulf along with his family... He has failed to perform like a vigilant administrator," he said.

Ramachandran asked the state government to find a solution to the crisis in Sabarimala or else there would be "a disaster."

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Travancore Devaswom Board on Friday announced its decision to move against the Supreme Court's verdict on Sabarimala. "We have decided to appeal against the Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala Temple," A Padmakumar, President of Travancore Devaswom Board told media on Friday.

Travancore Devaswom Board on Friday announced its decision to move against the Supreme Court's verdict on Sabarimala. "We have decided to appeal against the Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala Temple," A Padmakumar, President of Travancore Devaswom Board told media on Friday. Meanwhile, the Central Friday issued an advisory to the south Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the wake of the ongoing protests against the Supreme Court's Sabarimala verdict. The government asked the three states to tighten security and monitor any "adverse" online messages or social media content on the row. "All necessary precautionary measures may be taken to maintain law and order and appropriate security arrangements may be made to prevent any untoward incident," the advisory, sent by the internal security division of the home ministry, said. We have decided to appeal against the Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all age groups to enter #SabarimalaTemple: A Padmakumar, President, Travancore Devaswom Board pic.twitter.com/BieAIwyqd5 — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018 × Also, the Congress in Kerala alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was responsible for the present tense situation at Lord Ayappa temple in Sabarimala. Attacking Vijayan, who is in UAE, Kerala PCC president Mullapally Ramachandran said, "Vijayan is like the Roman emperor Nero who fiddled while Rome burned." "The chief minister is holidaying in the Gulf along with his family... He has failed to perform like a vigilant administrator," he said. Ramachandran asked the state government to find a solution to the crisis in Sabarimala or else there would be "a disaster." (With inputs from agencies)

Travancore Devaswom Board to challenge Supreme Court's Sabarimala verdict

Amid mounting protest in Kerala against the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devaswom Board will meet Friday in Thiruvananthapuram to find an amicable solution to the row.

Ahead of the meeting, the TDB, which administers the hill shrine, Thursday said it was ready for any sort of compromise to end the stand-off.

TDB president A Padmakumar said the board has always taken a stand that it was ready for any sort of compromise to end the protest and bring normalcy.

"We are not for any politics over the issue," he told reporters here.

Seeking to reach out to devotees opposing entry of women of all age groups, he asked if the protests would end if the TDB files a review plea in the Supreme Court against its verdict.

The meeting is being held after consensuseluded a crucial meeting of stakeholders called by the board last week to resolve the vexed issue of entry of women of all age groups into the shrine in the wake of the apex court judgment.

However, TDB, which manages over 1,200 temples in the state, including the Lord Ayyappa Temple, had said talks with the stakeholders would continue to find a solution.

Last week's meeting attended by various stakeholders of the shrine, including temple tantri (head priest), the Pandalam royal family, 'Ayyappa Seva Samajam' and 'Yoga Kshema Sabha', had failed to arrive at an agreement as the TDB stuck to its stand of not going for a review plea.

Representatives of the Pandalam royal family had walked out as TDB refused to concede their demand to take a decision on filing the review plea Tuesday itself.

However, the TDB president had said the meeting was not a "failure" and the board wanted to settle the issue and go ahead with the talks with the people concerned again.

The Sabarimala temple, located on the mountain ranges of the ecologically fragile Western Ghats, opened yesterday for the first time after the recent apex court order, allowing entry of women of all age groups there.

The shrine will close on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Amid mounting protest in Kerala against the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devaswom Board will meet Friday in Thiruvananthapuram to find an amicable solution to the row.

Amid mounting protest in Kerala against the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devaswom Board will meet Friday in Thiruvananthapuram to find an amicable solution to the row. Ahead of the meeting, the TDB, which administers the hill shrine, Thursday said it was ready for any sort of compromise to end the stand-off. TDB president A Padmakumar said the board has always taken a stand that it was ready for any sort of compromise to end the protest and bring normalcy. "We are not for any politics over the issue," he told reporters here. Seeking to reach out to devotees opposing entry of women of all age groups, he asked if the protests would end if the TDB files a review plea in the Supreme Court against its verdict. The meeting is being held after consensuseluded a crucial meeting of stakeholders called by the board last week to resolve the vexed issue of entry of women of all age groups into the shrine in the wake of the apex court judgment. However, TDB, which manages over 1,200 temples in the state, including the Lord Ayyappa Temple, had said talks with the stakeholders would continue to find a solution. Last week's meeting attended by various stakeholders of the shrine, including temple tantri (head priest), the Pandalam royal family, 'Ayyappa Seva Samajam' and 'Yoga Kshema Sabha', had failed to arrive at an agreement as the TDB stuck to its stand of not going for a review plea. Representatives of the Pandalam royal family had walked out as TDB refused to concede their demand to take a decision on filing the review plea Tuesday itself. However, the TDB president had said the meeting was not a "failure" and the board wanted to settle the issue and go ahead with the talks with the people concerned again. The Sabarimala temple, located on the mountain ranges of the ecologically fragile Western Ghats, opened yesterday for the first time after the recent apex court order, allowing entry of women of all age groups there. The shrine will close on October 22 after the five-day monthly puja during the Malayalam month of Thulam.

Travancore Devaswom Board to meet Friday to find amicable solution to Sabarimala row

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar Sunday said "real women devotees" of Lord Ayyappa were unlikely to visit Sabarimala temple and only "women activists" will reach the hillock shrine, in view of the recent Supreme Court verdict.&nbsp;

The apex court had on September 28 lifted the ban on the entry of women aged between 10-50 years to the forest shrine, holding that the centuries-old Hindu religious practise was illegal and unconstitutional.

After a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here, Padmakumar said the TDB will seek 100 acres of forest land from the Centre to provide more amenities for devotees as part of implementing the top court order.

The Board, which manages the shrine, will also consider filing a review petition, citing the difficulties and challenges faced by it in implementing the order in the present context, he said.

Expressing disappointment over the verdict, Padmakumar said the apex court had taken into account only constitutional, fundamental and gender issues while considering the entry of women into the shrine.

The unique geographical aspects and specific circumstances at the hill temple should have also been considered, he said.

"During the last annual pilgrim season, devotees had to stand in queue for over 17 continuous hours on a particular day due to the unprecedented rush," Padmakumar told.

Around 5.5 lakh devotees had been at the shrine during the last 'Makaravilakku' day on January 14.

"Is it possible for women to trek kilometers through the forest path and stand amongst the packed crowd?" he said. The TDB chief said the real devotees who respect the traditions and rituals of Sabarimala and know the circumstances there were not likely to visit the shrine.

"Only some women activists are expected to trek the holy hill in the name of the verdict," he said.

The TDB, however, will provide all possible facilities for women devotees who will reach the shrine from October 16, when it opens for this year's three month long annual pilgrimage season, Padmakumar said.

It will be very difficult and challenging for the Board to provide any special amenities for devotees in the present context, he said.

"So, we will request the Centre to provide us 100 more acres of forest land from the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) to implement the verdict. The Supreme Court's permission is also necessary for that," Padmakumar said.

Detailing its challenges, from crowd management to security, he said no more constructions were possible in the premises of the shrine which is located in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats region.

Steps will be taken to demarcate some of the existing toilets and lodging facilities for women devotees, the TDP president said.

The Board has also plans to set up a new 'viripandal' (dormitory), which can accommodate at least 10,000 people, considering the influx of women devotees.

"The work will begin by January and will be completed by the next pilgrimage season in 2019," he said, adding a meeting will be held here on October 3 to discuss further steps to be taken by the Board in view of the court verdict.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress, which had earlier hailed the verdict, Sunday urged the TDB to file a review petition.

"The social impact and the practical difficulties posed by the verdict should be taken into account," Opposition leader in the assembly, Ramesh Chennithala told a press meet here.

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar Sunday said "real women devotees" of Lord Ayyappa were unlikely to visit Sabarimala temple and only "women activists" will reach the hillock shrine, in view of the recent Supreme Court verdict.

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar Sunday said "real women devotees" of Lord Ayyappa were unlikely to visit Sabarimala temple and only "women activists" will reach the hillock shrine, in view of the recent Supreme Court verdict. The apex court had on September 28 lifted the ban on the entry of women aged between 10-50 years to the forest shrine, holding that the centuries-old Hindu religious practise was illegal and unconstitutional. After a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here, Padmakumar said the TDB will seek 100 acres of forest land from the Centre to provide more amenities for devotees as part of implementing the top court order. The Board, which manages the shrine, will also consider filing a review petition, citing the difficulties and challenges faced by it in implementing the order in the present context, he said. Expressing disappointment over the verdict, Padmakumar said the apex court had taken into account only constitutional, fundamental and gender issues while considering the entry of women into the shrine. The unique geographical aspects and specific circumstances at the hill temple should have also been considered, he said. "During the last annual pilgrim season, devotees had to stand in queue for over 17 continuous hours on a particular day due to the unprecedented rush," Padmakumar told. Around 5.5 lakh devotees had been at the shrine during the last 'Makaravilakku' day on January 14. "Is it possible for women to trek kilometers through the forest path and stand amongst the packed crowd?" he said. The TDB chief said the real devotees who respect the traditions and rituals of Sabarimala and know the circumstances there were not likely to visit the shrine. "Only some women activists are expected to trek the holy hill in the name of the verdict," he said. The TDB, however, will provide all possible facilities for women devotees who will reach the shrine from October 16, when it opens for this year's three month long annual pilgrimage season, Padmakumar said. It will be very difficult and challenging for the Board to provide any special amenities for devotees in the present context, he said. "So, we will request the Centre to provide us 100 more acres of forest land from the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) to implement the verdict. The Supreme Court's permission is also necessary for that," Padmakumar said. Detailing its challenges, from crowd management to security, he said no more constructions were possible in the premises of the shrine which is located in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats region. Steps will be taken to demarcate some of the existing toilets and lodging facilities for women devotees, the TDP president said. The Board has also plans to set up a new 'viripandal' (dormitory), which can accommodate at least 10,000 people, considering the influx of women devotees. "The work will begin by January and will be completed by the next pilgrimage season in 2019," he said, adding a meeting will be held here on October 3 to discuss further steps to be taken by the Board in view of the court verdict. Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress, which had earlier hailed the verdict, Sunday urged the TDB to file a review petition. "The social impact and the practical difficulties posed by the verdict should be taken into account," Opposition leader in the assembly, Ramesh Chennithala told a press meet here.

Only 'women activists' expected to visit Sabarimala: TDB chief

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