Travancore Devaswom Board to Oppose Women’s Entry in Sabarimala Review; Cites Duty to Preserve Age-Old Customs
In a significant shift ahead of fresh hearings in the Supreme Court, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has resolved to challenge the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala Temple.
The decision was finalised at a board meeting on Monday, weeks before a nine-judge Constitution Bench begins hearing review petitions related to the court’s 2018 ruling that permitted women aged 10 to 50 to offer prayers at the hill shrine.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed all parties involved in the review proceedings to submit affidavits outlining their positions by mid-March.
Acting on that direction, the TDB has now decided to formally inform the apex court of its intent to defend what it describes as long-standing religious practices at Sabarimala.
A Return to Its Earlier Stand
Before the landmark 2018 verdict, the TDB had defended the traditional restriction. However, in 2019, its counsel appeared to support the judgment on the principle of gender equality.
Now, board president K. Jayakumar has clarified that the body will adhere strictly to what it sees as its core responsibility — safeguarding temple traditions.
He stated that the board has passed a formal resolution and will file an affidavit reflecting this position before March 14.
According to Jayakumar, the institution itself has never officially endorsed the entry of young women and remains committed to protecting ritual customs.
Any previous remarks favouring the verdict, he suggested, reflected individual opinions rather than a collective board decision.
Political Undercurrents.
The issue remains highly sensitive in Kerala. The implementation of the 2018 judgment during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season triggered protests across the state.
The controversy is widely believed to have influenced political dynamics, particularly in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The TDB’s renewed assertion of its traditionalist stance comes at a time when Kerala is preparing for Assembly elections later this year.
Observers note that the temple issue continues to carry emotional and electoral weight.
Last September, the board organised a large devotees’ gathering aimed at reaffirming its commitment to established customs and rituals at Sabarimala.
Why Were Women Barred from Entering Sabarimala?
The restriction at Sabarimala is rooted in the unique character of the presiding deity, Ayyappa, who is worshipped in the temple as a Naishtika Brahmachari — a perpetual celibate.
According to temple tradition:
- The 41-day vratham (austere vow) observed by devotees is designed to cultivate discipline and detachment.
- The deity’s celibate form is believed to symbolise strict spiritual abstinence.
- Women of menstruating age (roughly 10 to 50 years) were traditionally not permitted to enter to preserve the sanctity associated with this form of worship.
Supporters of the custom argue that the restriction was not meant as discrimination but as a practice specific to the temple’s theology and ritual structure.
They also point out that women are permitted at many other temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
Opponents, however, challenged the ban as unconstitutional, leading to the 2018 judgment that struck it down.
The case subsequently evolved into a broader constitutional debate on essential religious practices, gender equality, and the limits of judicial intervention in matters of faith.
As the Supreme Court prepares to revisit the issue, the TDB’s renewed position ensures that the debate over tradition and constitutional rights will once again take centre stage.
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