Sabarimala closed for ‘purification’ after two women of menstrual age enter

Three months after the Supreme Court order allowing women of menstrual age to enter Sabarimala temple, two women are reported to have entered the temple today. Named Bindu and Kanakadurga, the women are in their 40s. They started the climb at midnight and entered the sanctum sanctorum at about 3.30 am. The Times of India reported that the temple has now been closed for “purification rituals”, something reported by multiple other news sites as well. The sanctum was closed reportedly on the orders of the head priest.

Indian Express reports that Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the news of the women’s entry, telling reporters: “There were hurdles for women to climb and enter Sabarimala temple. If they have entered the temple today, there must not have been any hurdles. It is true that they have entered. Police had been given instructions to provide protection to any woman who wants to climb.”

The women had previously tried to make the climb last month.