Nair Society Against Women Entering Sabarimala Temple

Kerala’s Nair Service Society is against letting women enter the famous Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

During its annual conference it passed a resolution which said that restricting women’s entrance to the temple is part of the customs and traditions of the shrine, and should be continued.

The society urged the state government to protect the temple’s traditions, and said that it was the responsibility of the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the temple, to convince the Supreme Court about the importance of tradition.

"Certain customs and traditions, including restriction imposed on women between the age of 10 and 50 years from trekking the holy hills and worshipping at the temple, have to be followed while visiting the shrine," it said.

The Nair society is an organisation created for the social advancement of the Nair community in Kerala.

Reversing the stand of the previous Congress-led government, Kerala’s CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front had told the Supreme Court that women of all ages must be allowed into the Sabarimala temple in November last year.

The previous Congress led UDF government had said that women should not be allowed in the temple because of the deity’s celibacy vows.

Last year, after much campaigning, the Supreme Court ruled that women will be allowed equal access to Mumbai’s Haji Ali Dargah.

Activist Trupti Desai, had recently stated that she will be forcefully entering the temple along with 100 other activists. However the Kerala Government said that she will not be allowed inside, and that there will be no change in the tradition and customs of the temple until the Supreme Court takes a decision.

Also Read: HappyToBleed campaign takes India by storm

#ReadyToWait: Say women supporting restrictions on their entry in Sabarimala