Protesters Check Vehicles For Women Day Before Sabarimala Temple Opening | Read

Hours ahead of the opening of the Lord Ayyappa Temple for devotees, this time for women too, the air is thick with resistance and anticipation at Nilakkal, the main entrance to Sabarimala. Girls and women of menstruating age en route the shrine are being stopped or asked to get off vehicles by those who disagree with the Supreme Court decision that has allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. Several groups of devotees, including elderly women, are randomly "inspecting" cars, buses and taxis at Nilakkal, the base camp about 20 km from the Sabarimala hill top. If they spot women, they ask them to stop right there or try to pursuade them to follow the tradition.