‘True Women Devotees Wait till 50 to Enter Sabarimala’: Supreme Court During Hearing

The Supreme Court recently observed during the Sabarimala reference hearing that “true” women devotees of Lord Ayyappa between the ages of 10 and 50 voluntarily refrain from entering the temple and visit only after attaining the age of 50.

Justice B.V. Nagarathna made the remarks while a nine-judge Constitution Bench was hearing larger constitutional questions relating to religious freedom and temple entry restrictions.

The Bench also observed that courts must be cautious while interpreting religious practices and stated that it does not wish to contribute to the “annihilation of religion.”

The matter arises from review proceedings connected to the 2018 Sabarimala judgment permitting entry of women of all age groups.