Sabarimala Ayyappan temple to be opened for Special Pooja

Sabarimala Ayyappan temple is set to open for the special Pooja of 'Chithira Aattavisesham' on Monday. In order to prevent protest and untoward incidents, curfew has been imposed at Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavunkal. 

Sabarimala hill shrine has been brought under heavy security. Commando force and 2300 police personals are deployed in the hill shrine, including 100 women police who are aged above 50 at sannidhanam area.

Earlier, when the temple was opened for monthly pooja last month, the hill shrine became a place for protest, and women devotees were not allowed to enter. In connection with violent protest and violation of the Supreme Court verdict, as many as 545 cases have been filed against the protesters and 3,731 of them were arrested. 

Several Hindu outfits in Kerala that are agitating against the entry of women of menstrual age into the famous Sabarimala Temple, have urged media outlets not to depute women journalists to cover the issue as the Lord Ayyappa temple is set to open on Monday for a special pooja.

The hearing of the review petition challenging the Supreme Court's verdict is scheduled on November 13.