Sabarimala: Normalcy returns after 2 women abort entry

The temple of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala opened on Wednesday for 'Thulam puja'. The Ayyappa Seva Sangham and Opposition parties, including the Congress and the BJP, are protesting against the Kerala government's decision to implement the Supreme Court order allowing women of menstruating age to enter the temple. Will women enter the temple? Follow all the developments LIVE.

State govt is trying to implement the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala Issue: CPI(M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan

Know more about Rehana Fathima and Kavitha Jakkala

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday backed the SupremeCourt order allowing entry of women into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala.

I have no idea about the condition of my children. I realise that my life is in danger and police have promised me protection. So, I decided to go back: Activist Rehana Fatima

Siddaramaiah sounds off on Sabarimala

“On the issue of women entering the Sabarimala temple, every person who has accepted the Constitution must bow down to the Supreme Court order,” Siddaramaiah tweeted Friday, even as protests continued at Sabarimala for the third consecutive day after the Lord Ayyappa temple opened for ‘Thulam Puja’.

Normalcy returns after 2 women abort attempt to enter Sannidhanam

Kerala Opposition leader criticises government for giving protections to two women activist to reach Sannidhanam

Rehna Fathima's house ransacked

Priests call off protest at Sannidhanam

Women are ready to turn back after discussion with police

After an hour-long discussion with police and protesters, Hyderabad based journalist Kavitha Jakkal and woman activist Rehana Fatima were convinced to abort their attempt to enter the shrine at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.

Director General of Police (DGP) Lokanath Behera meets Governor Justice (retd) P Sadashivam

Priests, Devaswom officials protest at Sannidhanam

In an unprecedented move, the lower priests (parikarmis) at the Ayyappa temple started a protest against the entry of women on the base of the 18 steps. They boycotted the 'pujas' in the shrine and said they will continue the protest till the women return. At the same time, the devotees continue entering the shrine.

Women abort attempt to reach shrine after government intervention

Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran told media persons that the government intends to protect only devotees and not activists and asked the police to abort the attempt to take the two women to the temple. The minister also said that 'activists' should not make Sabarimala a war zone. The minister's statement came after two women reached 'Nada Pandal', on the base of the 18 steps of the shrine.

Kerala govt will protect Devotees not activists': Devaswom minister

Devaswom Minister briefs media

Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran meets media and explains government's stand.

IG Sreejith says, Govt won't go back on its stand

Protesters block police personnel from moving ahead

Police IG Sreejith IPS tries to pacify the protesters

Inspector General Sreejith is speaking to protesters, who lie down in front of 18 steps. He said the police came to implement the law and asked the protesters to move from the steps.

Women reach Sannidhanam as protesters intensified slogans

Police troop with two women reached at 'Nada pandal', on the base of the 18 steps at Sannidhanam of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.

Two women climb steps in Sabarimala

Two women, with high police security, have started the trek to the Sannidhanam (Sanctum sanctorum) of Sabarimala. Kavita, a journalist from Mojo News from Andhra Pradesh, donning a security jacket and another woman unidentified devotee are climbing the steps of the Sabarimala hill. At least 150 police personnel are accompanying them.

A Delhi-based woman journalist of a foreign media outlet who trekked the Sabarimala hill was stopped midway by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of women of menstrual age into the hill shrine.

The Centre has asked the Kerala government to ensure peace across the state following protests against the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala Temple.

The portals of Sabarimala temple opened yesterday after the Supreme Court verdict allowing women between the age of 10 to 50 to pray there. ANI photos

Devotees enter Sannidhanam to offer prayers at Sabarimala Temple. ANI photos

Elderly devotees being assisted by the police to climb up the 18 steps to pay obeisance at Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala. PTI

Women in Kerala are taking to the streets to prevent women from entering the Sabarimala temple, with some groups threatening dire consequences if they dare cross the Pampa river to enter the Ayyappa temple.

Protests against entry of women at Sabarimala continue, 6 members of BJP-affiliated Janata Yuva Morcha arrested in Nilakkal.

Yuva Morcha activists arrested

Six activists of the BJP-affiliated Yuva Morcha detained for protesting at Nilakkal where Sec 144 is in place.

Pinarayi slams RSS

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slams 'RSS attempt to make Sabarimala a riot zone'. “Their agenda is to destroy the unique, inclusive core of Sabarimala and replace it with a centre of upper-caste fanaticism”, he said.

Stakeholders' opinion neglected : RSS on Sabarimala

Protesters chase media vehicles with stones

Protesters chase media vehicles with stones at Pathanamthitta, block traffic toward Nilakkal. Shutdown in Pathanamthitta and nearby towns total.

Police have also promulgated section 144 of CrPc in four places including Pamba, Sannidhanam to check any kind of protest and violence.

'The mob got very huge and very aggressive'

Suhasini Raj, the New Delhi-based NYT journalist, says she was just doing her job and wanted to interview the devotees. “The mob got very huge and very aggressive and they started pelting stones. The police did their best to help us. We left because we didn’t want anyone to get hurt”.

Sabarimala Protection Committee has called for a 12-hour statewide strike in Kerala today.

Hartal hit normal life

Day-long hartal (bandh) organised by the Sabarimala protesters including the BJP lead NDA, hit the normal life in the state. KSRTC buses damaged by protesters in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kallambalam near Thiruvananthapuram. Road blockades in Ernakulam. Bus services from Pathanamthitta toward Pampa marginally hit in the morning. Pilgrims from other states returning after darshan were stranded in Pathanamthitta last night.(DH photo)

“I was hit with stones,” the journalist told reporters.

New Sabarimala head priest

Suhasini Raj decides to return

NYT reporter Suhasini Raj decides to return from Appachimedu, the first check point after Pamba base. According to local channels, Sushasini said she did not want to contribute to the breakdown in law and order. She is now returning to Pamba.

Jalahalli Ayyappa temple priest is next Sabarimala head priest

V N Vasudevan, priest of Jalahalli Ayyappa temple, Bengaluru, was appointed the next head priest of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. He will serve as the 'melsanthi' for one year at the sanctum-sanctorum.

NYT reporter nears Sabarimala Sannidhanam

New York Times reporter Suhasini Raj is walking to the Sannidhanam- sanctum sanctorum- on Thursday morning, for 'work purpose and to pray as well', according to Manorama News. She reached Appachimedu, the closest distance to the Sannidhanam a woman below the age of 50 could reach in last 28 years.She is climbing the hill with high police security amid protests.(Screengrab. Manorama News)

The NCW has urged the Kerala police to ensure the security of women who wish to enter the Sabarimala temple.

The Sabarimala temple that was opened by head priest Unnikrishnan Nampoothiri for the five-day monthly pooja. PTI photo

Devotees wait in queues inside the premises of the Sabarimala temple in Pathanamthitta district in the southern state of Kerala. Reuters photo

Due to protest, Section 144 has been imposed in Pampa, Sannidhanam, Nilakkal and Elavungal.

Police personnel vandalise vehicles of protesters parked in Pampa.

Portals of Sabarimala Temple opened at 5 pm on Wednesday. Prayers can be offered till 10.30 pm. The portals will be kept open till 22nd October.

Congress is not behind the attack on Journalists : Ramesh Chennithala, Congress leader

BJP workers protest at Lord Ayyappa Temple against the Supreme Court order that allows the entry of women of all ages to the shrine, on the opening day of the temple in Sabarimala. PTI photo

India Today journalist Mausami Singh was attacked by the protesters at Nilakkal base camp.

Stone pelting against police continues, 3 police men and 5 protesters are seriously injured.

Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar arrested for threatening woman from entering hill shrine. FIR has been registered against him.

National Commission for Women takes cognizance of the attack on women journalists. A meeting is underway at NCW office for further steps to be taken: ANI

Out of 700 police deployed , 100 are women. In addition, 300 more will be added to the security.

The board that says ' No entry for women' which is removed earlier is again brought it back by protesters

Protesters attacked few female journalists and also damaged vehicles of media

Protesters prevent women from entering Sabarimala

More arrest

Police arrest protesters from Pamba base. They also blocked BJP and VHP leaders including Sobha Surendran heading to Pamba from Nilakkal.

Police detain protesters

Sabarimala: Tribals allege govt trying to ruin customs

Protesters block route to Sannidhanam; family fears safety, returns

A family, including several women and children, returned after crossed the Pamba amid growing protest. Protesters blocked all the ways to Sannidhanam. Even though police extended help, they couldn't go further. (Screengrab. Courtesy: Asianet News)

Protesters regather at Nilakkal

Protesters regather en mass at Nilakkal. Though police had removed the tents on early Wednesday, they start rebuilding.

Pilgrims start crossing Pamba river

Pilgrims have reached Pamba river base and have begun walking to the Sannidhanam. However, no woman between 10 and 50 years of age has crossed the Pamba base so far. Guards asked for ID cards of the women members in the medical team headed to Sannidhanam. Reports say they are above 50 years of age. Protestors had blocked women reporters as well at Nilakkal which is 18 km from Pamba. However, they arrived at Pamba later.

Protests being held near Pamba base camp

Woman from Cherthala hopes to have darshan

A woman from Cherthala (Alappuzha dist), Libi, reached Pathanamthitta in the state-run KSRTC bus with the help of police. She will travel to Pamba and is hoping to enter Sannidhanam by evening. Locals gheraoed her at the Pathanamthitta bus stand. (Screengrab. Courtesy: News18 Keralam)

Draw of lots for new head priest tomorrow

The election of the new head priests by drawing the lots, for Sabarimala and Malikappuram sanctum sanctorum, for the next year, will be held tomorrow at the Sannidhanam.

Meeting at Sannidhanam

Devaswam board minister Kadakampalli Surendran has called for a meeting of board officials, police and nine local body presidents and secretaries of nearby Panchayats at the Sannidhanam today. Earlier, such meetings to review the preparations were held at Pamba.

Cong, BJP protest

BJP leader Sobha Surendran reaches Nilakkal along with other workers. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee working president K Sudhakaran has announced hunger strike at Nilakkal.

Sabarimala under police control

Heavy police presence at the major junctions like Nilakkal and Pamba and also at the temple premises. IG Manoj Abraham IPS is in charge of the security. Some protestors were arrested and removed from the Nilakkal base camp, 18 kms away from Pamba. However, more people are reaching there. Congress and BJP have announced protest gatherings at Nilakkal. BJP.

Trek to Sannidhanam - the sanctum sanctorum

So far, women of menstruating age were not allowed to cross Pamba river base. To reach the Sannidhanam - the sanctum sanctorum - devotees will have to trek for 5 hours through Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabaripeedam and Saramkuthi.

How to reach Sabarimala?

By rail, get off at Chengannur Railway Station (Alappuzha dist). From here reach Pamba river by bus/car in three hours. Devotees will have to walk from Pamba river base to the sanctum santorum, a distance of 6 kms.

Couple blocked at Nilakkal

According to reports from Mathrubhumi, protesters forced a couple from Tamil Nadu to step out of the state-run bus moving towards Pamba.

As talks fail, will women enter Sabarimala today?

Protesters' makeshift tent removed

The protestors' makeshift tent at Nilakkal, a remote ghat region located in the Ranni forest division, 18 kms away from Pamba river, was removed by the Kerala police on Wednesday morning. The tent was made by 'Aachara Samrakshana Samiti' (Committee to Protect the Custom)(ANI file photo)