Entry for women: Kerala to adhere to High Court order

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (UNI) Adhering to Kerala High Court order, strict screening will be made at Pamba to ensure that women aged between 10 to 50 are not allowed to enter the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Kerala Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran said today.

After a meeting convened here to discuss the ongoing preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, he said ''the Kerala government does not intend to make any fresh declarations on the issue.'' The government did not want to make any changes in the age old traditions of the Sabarimala temple and there was no cause for anxiety to the devotees, he added.

However, the state government would depute more women cops at Pamba, the checking point of Sabarimala, he said, adding that the Intelligence wing would be strengthened at the 'Sannidhanam'.

Mr Sudhakaran said about 2.5 crore devotees visited the world famous hill shrine last year and a 50 per cent increase was expected this season.

Considering the large number of devotees from outside the state, the government would provide separate vehicle parking slots to each state, he said.

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