Sabarimala Shrine Opens Amid Tight Security

Hindu outfits stage protests against entry of young women

- 

A tense situation prevailed on the eve of the `Chithira Attatirunal' celebrations at the Ayyappa temple in Sabari-mala on Monday, as Hindu outfits staged sporadic protests against the entry of young women to the hilltop shrine, amid unprecedented security arrangements by the police.

Prohibitory orders were in force in Sabarimala and the base camps and a large police contingent was deployed before the temple opened for the special pujas by evening. All Pampa-bound vehicles were subjected to thorough security checks at different points on the road leading to Sabarimala.