Woman who broke tradition kept out of meet at Sabarimala

Bindu Ammini has been denied entry to a global conclave of Sabarimala temple devotees in Kerala, scheduled for later this month on the banks of Pamba, the starting point for the arduous 5 km trek up the hill shrine.

- Ashraf Padanna

In 2019, she became the first woman of fertile age to challenge the longstanding tradition of the hill shrine with the support of the state, igniting widespread protests from Hindu groups.

Devotees believe that Sabarimala is the abode of the bachelor god Lord Ayyappa, who prohibits women of menstruating age from entering.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had previously justified police escorting Ammini to trek to the temple's sanctum, is set to inaugurate the summit on Sept.20.