Click to play videoThiruvananthapuram (Kerala): The Sabarimala temple is opening to public for the first time on Monday since the controversy involving Kannada actress Jayamala erupted.
The police presence at the temple is more pronounced than ever before this time.
Women are very disappoined as they are not being allowed to even climb up the hill leading upto the Sabarimala shrine.
Many of these women are above the age of 55 and have spent a lot of money coming from far off places just to visit the temple.
The police, however, are not bending and are demanding proof of age before allowing them inside.
People who have come to visit the temple from far off places are very upset and are blaming Jayamala for the state of affairs.
Jayamala had claimed to have touched the idol of Lord Ayyapa with her hands.
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is barred for women between the age group of 10 and 55.
Traditionally Sabarimala is thrown open to devotees on the first day of the month in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and remains open for five days.
According to the calendar, the month of diseases known as 'Karka-dakam' begins on Monday. This is the month when people specifically take Ayurvedic medicines.
The hill shrine will close on July 21 after the Athazha Pooja.
(With inputs from Naveen Nair)
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