Author not for allowing women into Sabarimala

Nerve News of India

Sunday, 20 August 2006 | http://www.nerve.in/news:25350012685 | channel: India

"On Friday, while the state Temple Minister G. Sudhakaran for the first time said that the government is not averse to allowing women to worship at the Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devasom Board, the custodian of the famed Hindu temple, said it was not for any changes in the present customs and traditions of the temple. "

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20 - At a time when the Kerala government has said it is not averse to the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, novelist Anita Nair Sunday said she would not like any change in present customs.

'There is not much reason for women to go to Sabarimala facing the hardships. They would find it difficult and my opinion is that let the customs and traditions of Sabarimala continue as it is now,' Nair told reporters here.

Sabarimala temple is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 914 meters above sea level, four kilometres uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala. The temple is accessible only by foot.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and entry for women is only for those who have reached menopause and for girls who have not attained puberty.

Anita is the author of popular novels like 'Ladies Coupe', 'The Better Man' and 'Mistress' to name a few.

On Friday, while the state Temple Minister G. Sudhakaran for the first time said that the government is not averse to allowing women to worship at the Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devasom Board, the custodian of the famed Hindu temple, said it was not for any changes in the present customs and traditions of the temple.

Kantararu Mohanaru, the chief priest of the temple, also expressed that it is not possible for women to come to the temple for pilgrimage because women aged between 15 and 50 cannot undertake the compulsory 41 day penance, which every pilgrim should undergo before the pilgrimage.