Pathanamthitta: At least ten women of 10-50 age group tried trekking to Sabarimala shrine on November 16. The women are touted to be from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. According to sources, a group of tourists from Vijayawada were on a temple visit in Kerala. When they reached Pathanamthitta, they thought of visiting Sabarimala shrine. But when police informed them, only women below 10 and after 50 can enter the shrine, the group returned.

Meanwhile, the state government has said it won’t provide protection to women devotees, but many activists have announced their plan to enter the temple.

 Women rights activist Trupti Desai said that she would visit the  Sabarimala temple after November 20 regardless of whether she would be provided protection by the Kerala government or not.
 
She said, "I will go to Sabarimala after November 20. We will seek protection from the Kerala government and it is up to them to give us protection or not. Even if not provided with protection, I will visit Sabarimala for the darshan."

More than 10,000 pilgrims passed the police check post in the first hour to Sabarimala shrine. Over 10,000 police personnel would be posted in phases in and around the Lord Ayyappa temple for security purposes during the pilgrim season.