Sabarimala Pilgrimage  

 Ahead of the opening of the Sabarimala Temple, Kerala devaswom board minister K Surendran had on November 15 said the state government will not provide protection to women devotees visiting the temple. Those who need protection should get an order from the Supreme Court. However, women’s rights activist Trupti Desai has stated that she will visit the shrine after November 20, whether or not she is given protection. 

The battle over women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple continues as the pilgrimage season is about to begin. The Supreme Court has referred the matter to a larger Constitution bench, saying it needs detailed examination. Travancore Devaswom Board hopes for a peaceful pilgrimage.

The opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the Left government, the RSS and the BJP are trying to sabotage the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The opposition alleged that the government was using the police force to control the devotees at the famous shrine.
 

10 electric buses to be deployed for travel to the shrine, with five buses being flagged off on Thursday in Thiruvananthapuram by state transport minister AK Saseendran

Media and Devaswom employees have started trekking uphill to Sabarimala. Ayyappa devotees are now stopped at Nilakkal, they will be sent to Pamba by 12 noon.