SABARIMALA TEMPLE VERDICT BY SUPREME COURT - NOW WHAT ??
BACKGROUND
In Kerala, we have 'Periyar Tiger Reserve' and 'Sabarimala Sri Ayyappa Temple' located near 'Periyar Tiger Reserve' in the western ghats mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District.
It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world with an estimated 45-50 million devotees visiting every year.
Near this temple, There is a River called 'Pampa River' which is Kerla's third largest river.
It is the temple of the Lord Ayyappan. People have string belief with this.
One of the belief is that In the 12th century, Manikandan, a prince of Pandalam Dynasty meditated at Sabarimala temple and became one with the divine.
Manikandan was an avatar of 'Ayyappan'. [This is a belief of People]
Lord Ayyappan - Hindu God - Belief that the deity is a 'Naishtika Brahmachari (eternal celibate i.e. abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, typically for religious reasons.]
The devotee who wants to visit this temple, he has to follow some rituals like:
WHO RUNS THE TEMPLE ?In Kerala, we have 'Periyar Tiger Reserve' and 'Sabarimala Sri Ayyappa Temple' located near 'Periyar Tiger Reserve' in the western ghats mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District.
It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world with an estimated 45-50 million devotees visiting every year.
Near this temple, There is a River called 'Pampa River' which is Kerla's third largest river.
It is the temple of the Lord Ayyappan. People have string belief with this.
One of the belief is that In the 12th century, Manikandan, a prince of Pandalam Dynasty meditated at Sabarimala temple and became one with the divine.
Manikandan was an avatar of 'Ayyappan'. [This is a belief of People]
Lord Ayyappan - Hindu God - Belief that the deity is a 'Naishtika Brahmachari (eternal celibate i.e. abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, typically for religious reasons.]
The devotee who wants to visit this temple, he has to follow some rituals like:
- The devotees are expected to follow a Vratham (41 day austerity period)
- This begins with wearing of a special Mala (chain made of Rudraksha) or Tulasi beads
- Only a lacto-vegetation diet, follow teetotalism and have to control the anger and not to abuse or not to use offensive language.
The temple dedicated to the Lord Ayyappan is one of the most famous temple in Kerala
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) manages the temple.
They argued that only women of a certain age are barred from entering the temple and that it's okay to wait till 50 to enter to holy shrine (i.e. only those women can enter whose age is more than 50) - as celibacy maintains in this temple.
THE ISSUE OF DISCRIMINATION - 1991
In 1991 - Some feminists go to court for this discrimination. But, In 1991 , the Kerala High Court restricted entry of women above the age of 10 and below the age of 50 from offering worship at Sabarimala Shrine as they were of the menstruating age.
Then Those feminists challenged this case in Supreme Court.
THE SABARIMALA CASE
A group of five women lawyers has challenged Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public worship Rules 1965. which authorises restriction of women "of menstruating age".
They told this is violating their fundamental rights.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, who represented the petitioners, said the restrictions were against Article 14, 15 and 17 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 14 - Equality before law
Article 15 - (Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth)
Article 17 - Abolition of Untouchability.
KERALA'S GOVERNMENT STANCE
Before 2016, Kerala's government is agreed with High Court Decision (which restrict entry of women).
But, after 2016, they support the entry of women of all ages to the temple.
so, Their stance is flip-flop.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED, WHY IN NEWS?
The Supreme Court in September 2018, in a recent judgement, allowed women, irrespective of their age, to enter Kerala’s Sabarimala temple
The five judge constitution bench headed by chief Justice Dipak Mishra , in 4-1 verdict, said, banning the entry of women in Sabarimala temple is gender discrimination and the practice violates the rights of Hindu Women.
Indu Malhotra gave a dissenting verdict.
In a 4-1 majority, the court struck down provisions of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965.
OBSERVATION OF JUSTICE INDU MALHOTRA
Justice Indu Malhotra, the only women on the bench , said that the petition does not deserve to be entertained.
She was of the views that it is not for courts to determine which religious practice are to be struck down except in case of social evil like 'Sati'.
So issues of deep religious sentiments should not be ordinarily interfered into by the Court.
NOW WHAT ?
The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja, Makara Sankranti and the first five days of the each Malayalam Month.
Currently This temple is closed as it closed on only above days/festive. So, we will see whether on ground Level, Female of any age allowed in this Temple or not.
It remains to be seen, when the temple will openl
Supreme court verdict is very revolutionary.
For more information, you can access below links:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/supreme-court-allows-women-to-enter-sabarimala-temple/articleshow/65989807.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-bulldozes-gender-barrier-at-sabarimala-temple-allows-entry-of-woman-devotees/articleshow/65990695.cms
Above Information is as per data available in news till the date when I am posting this.
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