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Sabarimala Temple reopens for two months; activist Trupti Desai barred from entering Kerala shrine

News Nation Bureau New Delhi Updated on: 16 Nov 2018, 23:26 PM

Amid protests and political furore over the Supreme Court's path-breaking verdict allowing women of menstrual age group to worship Lord Ayyappa, the Sabarimala Temple gates are thrown open for 62-day long Mandala Pooja - Magaravilaku annual pilgrimage season this evening. However, the Supreme Court's Sabarimala judgement has had zero impact as gender barrier is yet to be bulldozed at the Kerala shrine. Activist Trupti Desai, the chief of the Bhumata Brigade, who arrived at Kochi to visit Sabarimala Temple this morning was blocked from leaving for the hill shrine. The high-octane religious drama at the airport does not seem to end the centuries old struggle for justice and dignity of women anytime soon.

Here are the LIVE updates from Sabarimala opening:

19:39 (IST)

Protestors threatened taxi drivers from providing us services. Hotel staff was threatened of damage to hotels if rooms were given to us. It saddens me to see that ppl who call themselves Ayyappa devotees are abusing and threatening us: Trupti Desai at Kochi airport

19:07 (IST)

Trupti Desai is leaving for Mumbai by 9:25 pm Kochi to Mumbai flight

18:21 (IST)

Trupti Desai to return to her hometown Pune tonight. She has been at the Kochi airport since morning as protesters did not allow her to proceed to Sabarimala Temple

18:09 (IST)

The Makaravilakku festival would be celebrated on January 14 after which the shrine will close on January 20, marking the culmination of the pilgrim season

18:08 (IST)

The temple would reopen for the Makaravilakku festival on December 30

18:08 (IST)

The 41-day mandalam festival will conclude on December 27 after Mandala pooja, when the shrine will close after the'Athazhapuja' in the evening

19:00 (IST)

Sabarimala temple board to move the Supreme Court asking for more time to implement order on entry of menstrual age women - Read Full Story Here

18:02 (IST)

Devotees throng to Sabarimala Temple as the Kerala shrine opened at 5 pm in the presence of head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru.

17:43 (IST)

Sabarimala Karma Samithi holds protest against Trupti Desai in Kerala's Trivandrum

17:42 (IST)

Kerala: Sabarimala Temple opens for 62-day long Mandala Pooja - Magaravilaku annual pilgrimage season

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First Published : 16 Nov 2018, 17:34 PM

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